Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The goodness of God endures continually.
2 Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3 You love evil more than good,
Lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah
4 You love all devouring words,
You deceitful tongue.
5 God shall likewise destroy you forever;
He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place,
And uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
6 The righteous also shall see and fear,
And shall laugh at him, saying,
7 “Here is the man who did not make God his strength,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches,
And strengthened himself in his wickedness.”
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.
9 I will praise You forever,
Because You have done it;
And in the presence of Your saints
I will wait on Your name, for it is good.
By Mike Chaffin
Not all the Psalms are in chronological order. This psalm is a contemplation of David when he first ran from King Saul. He left in a hurry, without food or weapons. He went to Ahimelech the priest who resided at Nob. David wasn’t honest with Ahimelech. He told the priest he was on the Kings business and needed food and a sword. Ahimelech gave him the holy bread from the table before the altar. He also gave him the sword Goliath had carried. David had evidently given it to the priests as an offering to God for victory over the enemy.
Saul’s chief herdsman, Doeg, saw David and reported the news to King Saul. Saul ordered the High Priest to come before him. Ahimelech came with an entourage of family and priests. He asked Ahimelech where David had gone. Ahimelech truly did not know. He did not know David was on the run. He did not know where he had gone. He did not know Saul was out of his mind with jealousy.
Saul ordered his army to kill Ahimelech. They didn’t move. They were not about to kill priests. They knew David had done nothing wrong and Saul was out of his mind. They had morals. However, Doeg was godless and just as evil as Saul.
After the soldiers refused Saul told Doeg to kill them. He killed Ahimelech and eighty-five other priests that day. Then Doeg went to the city of Nob and killed more men, women, and children. The disparaging phrase, “You dirty dog” originated from this event.
David pens this psalm as a testament to the evil done that day. When evil is perpetrated, it is important to remember what happened and to put it in its proper perspective. David compares the works and traits of the godless to one who follows God. The Godless have nothing to live for, but those who live for God trust in His mercy and wait patiently for His plan to be fulfilled.
What is our response when we see evil? First, we are not to participate in it, nor condone it. The soldiers didn’t participate in the unjust killing of these priests nor did they condone it. Sadly, they did not do anything to stop it. We saw a similar situation play out in World War 2 Germany when the Jews were persecuted and killed.
Secondly, we trust in God’s mercy and His unfailing love. We might think that vigilante justice on Doeg is justified but as Jesus taught, vengeance is the Lord’s.
Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19
Patience is one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit. When we practice patience, we honor God.
