The Lord Will

Psalm 52:6

The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

KJV

Read in Psalm 52

Meaning

The righteous see the collapse of false security, fear God, and laugh in wisdom-like recognition that boastful power cannot finally sustain itself; this is not permission to enjoy suffering.

God overturns false security

Psalm 52 contrasts a powerful deceiver who trusts destructive speech and wealth with a worshiper who trusts God’s steadfast love. Its superscription links the poem to Doeg the Edomite and the events surrounding the priests of Nob, but the psalm’s moral indictment must not be generalized to Edomites, ethnic groups, political opponents, or wealthy people as classes.

Read carefully

The righteous see the collapse of false security, fear God, and laugh in wisdom-like recognition that boastful power cannot finally sustain itself; this is not permission to enjoy suffering.

Reflection

The righteous see the collapse of false security, fear God, and laugh in wisdom-like recognition that boastful power cannot finally sustain itself; this is not permission to enjoy suffering.