RR Psalm 52:1-3 Part 1

Shalom,

Psalm 52:1 For the music director: a contemplative song of David, 2 when Doeg the Edomite came and reported to Saul telling him, “David went to Ahimelech’s house.” 3 Why do you brag about evil, mighty man? God’s lovingkindness is every day.

To appreciate this Psalm, we have to remember the story of “Doeg.”  We read it in 1Samuel, chapters 21 and 22.  David lied to the priest, Ahimelech, to get bread for his men and Goliath’s sword.  Consequently, Ahimelech and 85 priests plus their women and children as well as all their livestock were killed by Doeg at King Saul’s command.  This still grieves David.  David lied and they all died.

We will explore this in greater detail in the coming days.  Today I just want to point out the sarcasm when David calls Doeg a “mighty man.”  David uses this epithet to mock Doeg because the reality is too disgusting for words.  David even says that he knew Doeg would be a tale bearer to his own advantage.  However; the Bible warns us against that.  

Rabbi Trail:  Peter (in 1Peter 3:10ff) quotes these verses of Psalm 34.  Psalm 34:13 Who is the one who delights in life, and loves to see good days? 14 Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking treachery. 15 Depart from evil and do good. Seek shalom and pursue it.  

Psalm 34 is also quoted (but not typically credited) in the final paragraph of the Amidah, (the central prayer of all Hebrew liturgy) which is where I first saw it as a youngster in Hebrew school.  The next time I saw it, I was reading 1Peter for the first time at the age of 30.  I didn’t understand why the rabbis would quote from 1Peter in Hebrew liturgy.  Then I found out they both (the rabbis and Peter) were quoting from Psalm 34.  That makes sense.  End RT.

Let’s give Yeshua’s half brother, Jacob, the last word today.  Take it as a warning to guard your tongue from evil.  

Jacob 3:5 So also the tongue is a small member—yet it boasts of great things. See how so small a fire sets a blaze so great a forest! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is a world of evil placed among our body parts. It pollutes the whole body and sets on fire the course of life—and is set on fire by Gehenna…. 8 But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless Adonai and Father, and with it we curse people, who are made in the image of God. 10 From the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be.

Shalom shalom.

Day 33 of the Omer
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu7-May-202620th of Iyar, 5786 
Le 26:10-46Jer 3 Job 23Ro 4 (Mt 23)