Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 52

Mighty man. This term is better understood as hero, used sarcastically. The Septuagint and Vulgate render it as “a mighty one at mischief.” (Compare to Isaiah 5:22, which reads: a hero at drinking.)

The order of the Hebrew, however, argues against this interpretation and is in favour of the English rendering: Why do you exult in wickedness, O hero? This question perhaps refers not only to the hero's own wickedness but also to the wickedness the people are led into by his actions. This understanding seems required by the next clause.

In spite of man’s folly and sin, God’s covenant favour endures all the day long.

Working deceitfully. —Better, working guile. (For the metaphor, see Psalm 55:21; Psalms 57:4, etc.)

Devouring words. —Literally, words of swallowing, such as swallow down (compare Psalm 5:9, where the throat is called “an open sepulchre”) a neighbor’s life, honor, and goods.

Destroy. —Better, tear down, as if of a building.

Take you away. —Better, lay hold of you. The Hebrew word is always used of taking a live coal from the hearth. Notice, however, that the exactly opposite is intended of our “pluck a brand from the burning.” Here the idea is of pulling the house-fire to pieces, and so extinguishing domestic life.

Fear ... laugh. —The mingled feelings of awe at the tyrant’s terrible fall, and exultation at his overthrow, are finely caught and described.

Dwelling-place. —Better, tent.

Root thee out. —This word, suggestive of rooting up a corrupt tree, becomes more forcible from the contrast in the figure of Psalm 52:8.