God’s Word of Mercy and Forgiveness
Introduction
Psalm 52: Today’s reading is a psalm attributed to David, written after Doeg the Edomite (who was one of King Saul’s army officers) went to Saul and told him that David had gone to the house of the priest Ahimelech. While trying to help Saul capture David, Doeg killed Ahimelech and many of Israel’s priests and their families (see 1 Samuel 22:6-19). The opening verses include accusations against the wicked and words of God’s judgment, and the psalm concludes by affirming the goodness of God.
Scripture Reading
God’s Judgment and Grace
1Why do you boast, great one, of your evil?
God’s faithfulness is eternal.
2You make plans to ruin others;
your tongue is like a sharp razor.
You are always inventing lies.
3You love evil more than good
and falsehood more than truth.
4You love to hurt people with your words, you liar!
5So God will ruin you forever;
he will take hold of you and snatch you from your home;
he will remove you from the world of the living.
6Righteous people will see this and be afraid;
then they will laugh at you and say,
7“Look, here is someone who did not depend on God for safety,
but trusted instead in great wealth
and looked for security in being wicked.”
8But I am like an olive tree growing in the house of God;
I trust in his constant love forever and ever.
9I will always thank you, God, for what you have done;
in the presence of your people
I will proclaim that you are good.
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 52:8
But I am like an olive tree growing in the house of God; I trust in his constant love forever and ever.
Reflect
In verse 8, the psalm writer compares himself to an olive tree. Olive trees live a long time, and even when cut down, they sprout from the root. They symbolize people whose foundation for life is their trust in God’s love. Such people are the opposite of the wicked who have no roots (see verse 5). In what ways can you be like an olive tree, demonstrating that your foundation for life is built on your trust in God and God’s love?
Pray
Lord God, nurture me each day with your holy Word so I may grow like an olive tree in knowledge of you. I thank and praise you and will proclaim your goodness forever. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 56: A prayer of trust in God.