The Backstory: 1 Samuel 21-22
Before encountering Psalm 52 it may be helpful to know the backstory as found in 1 Samuel 21–22. David was fleeing from King Saul and sought the help of the priest Ahimelek. A man named Doeg witnessed Ahimelek helping David and reported the encounter to Saul. Saul after interrogating Ahimelek ordered him and his family to be killed. Not one of Saul’s officials were willing to follow his command so Doeg zealously killed 85 priests, and the inhabitants of their town—men, women and children—as well as all their cattle, donkeys, and sheep.
David felt responsible for these deaths having seen Doeg when he had met with Ahimelek and thought Doeg might betray him to Saul. Out of that anguish he wrote Psalm 52.
The key aspect of Psalm 52 is the contrast between Doeg and David and the promise that at the end of the day David will be rewarded because God’s steadfast love is forever.
Psalm 52 in Worship
[Without getting into details you may want to introduce the reading or use of Psalm 52 saying: ]
Psalm 52 was written by David before he became King.
On the run from King Saul, David sought the help of Ahimilek, a priest. A man named Doeg, who witnessed Ahimilek helping David, betrayed the priest to Saul. In retaliation, Saul ordered that Ahimilek and his family be killed. Full of evil zeal, Doeg went beyond the order, killing 85 priests and an entire town—men, women, children, babies, and all the animals. In the face of such evil, David wrote this Psalm.
Today, we speak Psalm 52 in solidarity with all who are experiencing the treachery of unjust people and systems. We speak it today as a warning to ourselves to choose the way of righteousness because a life of injustice leads to eternal death. We speak it today to remind ourselves that though the unjust may seem to have the upper hand, “The steadfast love of God endures forever" (Psalm 52:1b, composite translation—see note below).
The Litany
Reading from Psalm 52:1–7, New Living Translation
Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?
Don’t you realize,
The steadfast love of God endures forever.
All day long you plot destruction.
Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;
you’re an expert at telling lies.
You love evil more than good
and lies more than truth.
The steadfast love of God endures forever.
You love to destroy others with your words,
you liar!
But God will strike you down once and for all.
He will pull you from your home
and uproot you from the land of the living.
The steadfast love of God endures forever.
The righteous will see it and be amazed.
They will laugh and say,
“Look what happens to mighty warriors
who do not trust in God.
They trust their wealth instead
and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”
Prayer
Holy, righteous, and just God,
we join with the Psalmist
in decrying the injustice we see in the world—
the treachery, deceit, and wickedness
we see growing around us.
We decry the evil that leads to the death
of innocent people through
direct acts, destructive policies, and systemic injustice.
We lament the evil that results in lives
filled with pain and trauma.
Holy, righteous, and just God,
we beg you to rise up
and set right what is wrong in the world.
Embolden us, your people,
to stand up to evil, to call it out,
even if it costs us now,
because we are assured
that when we are on your side,
the side of justice and truth,
we will win—
for your steadfast love endures forever.
Amen.
Alternate: “You Cunning Liar, Why Publicize” (st. 1, 2) Psalm 52, Gay/Bell
Reading from Psalm 52:8-9
But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.
I will always trust in God’s unfailing love [for]
The steadfast love of God endures forever.
I will praise you forever, O God,
for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
in the presence of your faithful people [for]
The steadfast love of God endures forever.
Song of Trust: “The Steadfast Love of the Lord” Lamentations 3:22-23, McNeill
Alternate options:
“The Steadfast Love of the Lord/O God of All the Broken” Haugen
“You Cunning Liar, Why Publicize” (st. 3) Psalm 52, Gay/Bell