Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 52:7
Lo, [this is] the man [that] made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, [and] strengthened himself in his wickedness.
7. The words of the righteous. There is a touch of sarcasm in the use of the word geber (akin to gibbor, Psa 52:1) for man (as perhaps in Isa 22:17, see R.V. marg.), denoting a man in his full vigour.
that made not God his strength ] Or, stronghold. The tense implies that it was the constant habit of his mind.
but trusted &c.] Cp. Psa 49:6.
in his wickedness ] The singular of the word rendered mischiefs (R.V. very wickedness) in Psa 52:2. It may here mean greed, or covetousness. But the rendering of the Targ. and the Syr. in his wealth (whence A.V. marg. substance), seems to represent a slightly different reading, which agrees well with the parallel, in the abundance of his riches.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength – That is, the righteous Psa 52:6 would say this. They would designate him as a man who had not made God his refuge, but who had trusted in his own resources. The result would be that he would he abandoned by God, and that those things on which he had relied would fail him in the day of calamity. He would be pointed out as an instance of what must occur when a man does not act with a wise reference to the will of God, but, confiding in his own strength and resources, pursues his own plans of iniquity.
But trusted in the abundance of his riches – See the notes at Psa 49:6. From this it would seem that Doeg was a rich man, and that, as a general thing, in his life, and in his plans of evil, he felt confident in his wealth. He had that spirit of arrogance and self-confidence which springs from the conscious possession of property where there is no fear of God; and into all that he did he carried the sense of his own importance as derived from his riches. In the particular matter referred to in the psalm the meaning is, that he would perform the iniquitous work of giving information with the proud and haughty feeling springing from wealth and from self-importance – the feeling that he was a man of consequence, and that whatever such a man might do would be entitled to special attention.
And strengthened himself in his wickedness – Margin, substance. This is the same word which in Psa 52:1 is rendered mischief. The idea is, that he had a malicious pleasure in doing wrong, or in injuring others, and that by every art, and against all the convictions and remonstrances of his own conscience, he endeavored to confirm himself in this unholy purpose and employment.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 7. Made not God his strength] Did not make God his portion.
In the abundance of his riches] Literally, in the multiplication of his riches. He had got much, he hoped to get more, and expected that his happiness would multiply as his riches multiplied. And this is the case with most rich men.
Strengthened himself in his wickedness.] Loved money instead of God; and thus his depravity, being increased, was strengthened.
Crescit amor nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crescit.
“In proportion to the increase of wealth, so is the love of it.”
Where is the religious man, in whose hands money has multiplied, who has not lost the spirit of piety in the same ratio? To prevent this, and the perdition to which it leads, there is no way but opening both hands to the poor.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The man: these are the triumphant words of the righteous. This is the great and famous man, take special notice of him, and of his doleful end.
That made not God his strength that trusted and feared Saul more than God, and was willing to purchase Sauls favour with Gods displeasure.
Trusted in the abundance of his riches; thought himself secure in his great and growing wealth, without Gods protection or blessing.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
7. for trusting in riches andbeing strong in “wickedness.”
wickednessliterally,”mischief” (Ps 52:2),instead of trusting in God.
the manliterally, “themighty man,” or “hero” (Ps52:1).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Lo, [this is] the man [that] made not God his strength,…. The Targum renders it, “that made not the Word of the Lord his strength”. These are the words the righteous would say, when they should see the destruction of Doeg: see the man, the mighty man, and his end; what all his ill gotten honour and riches are come to; and what his wickedness, deceit, and cruelty, have brought upon him. The righteous make the Lord their strength, put their trust in him, in whom is everlasting strength; do all they do in his strength; fly to him as their “strong hold”, as the word b may be rendered; thither they run, and are safe: but the rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
Pr 18:10; there he thinks himself safe, and places his confidence in it, as follows:
but trusted in the abundance of his riches; [See comments on Ps 49:6]; so the antichristian whore is represented as boasting of her riches and honour, and trusting in them, that they would always continue, Re 18:7; like the fool in Lu 12:19;
[and] strengthened himself in his wickedness; encouraged and hardened himself in sin, gave up himself to it; and, by art obstinate continuance in it, strengthened the vicious habits contracted; stretched out his hand against God, and strengthened himself against the Almighty; went on in a daring manner, promising himself impunity; and as if his wickedness was his strength, his safeguard and protection: or in his mammon, his wealth and substance; as the Targum interprets it; and so R. Saadiah Gaon c, and with which the Syriac version agrees; and then the sense is the same with the other clause. But, alas! what are all such forces of strength, when wrath comes forth from the Lord of hosts? Job 36:18.
b “arcem suam”, Cocceius; “presidium, munimemtum”, Michaelis. c Apud Kimchi in loc.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
7. Lo! this is the man that made not God his strength Some think that these words are given as what should afterwards be proverbially applied to Doeg; but they would not appear to have been intended in that restricted signification. They merely express the improvement which the people of God would make of the judgment. It would teach them, on the one hand, to be patient under the insolence of the ungodly, which is so speedily humbled; and, on the other, to beware of indulging a similarly infatuated spirit themselves. They would laugh at their destruction, yet not in the way of insulting over them, but rejoicing more and more in the confidence of the help of God, and denying themselves more cheerfully to the vain pleasures of this world. This is the lesson to be learned from such dispensations of providence: they should recall our wandering affections to God. The verse is introduced with an exclamation, Lo! this is the man, etc.; for David would have us to look upon this one instance as representing to our eyes, in a vivid manner, the end of all who despise the Lord; and it may be remarked, that it is no small point of practical wisdom thus to generalise individual providences. The two clauses, made not God his strength, and, trusted in the abundance of his riches, stand mutually connected; for none can be said sincerely to repose upon God but he who has been emptied of all confidence in his own resources. So long as men imagine that they have something of their own in which they can boast, they will never resort to God: just in proportion as we arrogate to ourselves do we derogate from him; and it is not only wealth, but any other earthly possession, which, by engrossing our confidence, may prevent us from inquiring after the Lord. The noun הוה, havah, which most interpreters have rendered wickedness, (281) and some slaughter or destruction, seems, in this place, rather to mean substance. (282) Such repetitions of the same sentiment in different words are common with the Psalmist; and, according to this translation, the verse will flow connectedly, reading, that the man who trusts in his riches, and strengthens himself in his substance, defrauds God of his just glory.
(281) If this is the true rendering, there may be a reference to the expectations which Doeg had entertained of increasing his power and influence by maliciously injuring David, as he would thereby obtain, in a high degree, the favor of Saul.
(282) This is the marginal reading in our English Bible. As he was Saul’s chief herdsman, it is probable that his riches consisted chiefly in cattle.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
7. The righteous now speak. Lo, this is the man Literally, Behold the strong man, or the hero. The same word is rendered, in Psa 52:1, “mighty man.” The moral points in the history of this fallen man are, He made not God his strength; he trusted in the abundance of his riches, for acquiring which his office and rank gave great opportunity, 1Sa 21:7; 1Sa 22:9; and he strengthened himself in his wickedness; that is, in the success of his wicked devices. Worldly men might ascribe his downfall to political causes, as the death of Saul and the transfer of the kingdom to David, but faith discerns in it the avenging hand of God.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 52:7. Lo! this is the man, &c. “See the fate of the haughty slanderer and murderer! Where are all his boasted riches and prosperity? He was too proud to place his safety in God: but trusted in the multitude of his riches; thinking his wealth would defend him from the punishment due to his villainies.” Mr. Schultens renders the words, Ferociebat in vasta sua cupiditate: “He grew insolent and furious in his boundless appetite, viz. to heap up riches, and satisfy the malice and cruelty of his heart.”
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 52:7 Lo, [this is] the man [that] made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, [and] strengthened himself in his wickedness.
Ver. 7. Lo, this is the man ] Or, rather, now the monster to be pointed at; once so mighty, now so miserable, O quantum haec Niobe, &c., what a strange change is here, &c. As the true Israelite is pointed out with a Behold, for imitation, Joh 1:47 , so is this counterfeit Israelite for detestation.
That made not God his strength
But trusted in the abundance, &c.
And strengthened himself in his wickedness
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the man = the strong man (Hebrew. geber. App-14. IV) that made not God his strength. The Gematria of this sentence = 2,197 (= 133). See App-10.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
trusted = confided. Hebrew. batah. App-69.
wickedness. Aram, and Syriac read “wealth”. Compare Psa 112:3.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
trusted (See Scofield “Psa 2:12”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Lo: Isa 14:16, Isa 14:17, Joh 19:5
made: Psa 146:3-5, Jer 17:5
trusted: Psa 49:6-20, Psa 62:9, Psa 62:10, Job 31:24, Job 31:25, 1Ti 6:17
strengthened: Psa 73:7-11, Psa 73:18-20, Ecc 8:8, Hos 12:7, Hos 12:8
wickedness: or, substance
Reciprocal: Gen 10:9 – Even Jdg 5:27 – where 2Ch 28:22 – this is Job 15:25 – strengtheneth Psa 73:12 – these Psa 81:1 – our strength Pro 10:15 – rich Pro 11:28 – that Ecc 5:10 – He that Isa 30:12 – and trust Isa 47:10 – thou hast trusted Jer 8:12 – ashamed when Jer 9:23 – rich Jer 48:7 – because Jer 49:4 – trusted Eze 7:13 – neither Eze 28:5 – and thine Eze 31:18 – This is Hos 10:13 – didst Hab 2:9 – set Zep 2:15 – every Mat 13:22 – the deceitfulness Mar 10:24 – trust Jam 4:16 – General