Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 52:4

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 52:4

1798–1870
Presbyterian
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes Commentary

Psalms 52:4

1798–1870
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"Thou lovest all devouring words, thou deceitful tongue." — Psalms 52:4 (ASV)

You love all devouring words - All words that tend to devour or “swallow up” reputation and happiness. Luther, “You speak gladly all things (anything) that will serve to destruction.” Anything, everything, that will serve to ruin people.

The word rendered “devouring” - בלע bela‛ - occurs only here and in Jeremiah 51:44, though the verb from which it is derived occurs frequently: Isaiah 28:4; Exodus 7:12; Jonah 2:1; Jonah 1:17; Genesis 41:7; Genesis 41:24, and others. The verb means to swallow, and then, to consume or destroy.

O you deceitful tongue - Margin, “and the deceitful tongue.” The sense is best expressed in the text. It is an address to the tongue as loving deceit or fraud.