John Calvin Commentary Psalms 52:6

"The righteous also shall see [it], and fear, And shall laugh at him, [saying]," — Psalms 52:6 (ASV)

The righteous also shall see, and fear. He here offers, as another reason why the ruin of Doeg might be expected, that an important purpose would be achieved by it, insofar as it would promote religion in the hearts of the Lord’s people and afford them a refreshing display of Divine justice.

If it takes place, it would be witnessed by the ungodly as well as by the righteous; but there are two reasons why the Psalmist represents it as being seen especially by the latter. The wicked are incapable of profiting from the judgments of God, being blind to the plainest manifestations of Himself that He has made in His works; therefore, it was only the righteous who could see it.

Besides, the primary purpose God has in view when He humbles the pride of the ungodly is the comfort of His own people, so that He may show them the care with which He watches over their safety. Therefore, it is they whom David represents as witnessing this spectacle of Divine justice.

And when he says that they would fear, this does not mean that they would tremble or experience any servile fear, but that their reverential regard for God would be increased by this proof of His care for their interests.

When left exposed to the injurious treatment of their enemies, they are prone to be distressed with doubts about the concern He takes in the government of the world. But such contrary illustrations have the effect of reviving their discouraged zeal and promoting that fear, which is by no means inconsistent with the joy spoken of at the end of the verse.

They are led to reverence Him more when they see that He is the avenger of cruelty and injustice. On the other hand, when they perceive that He appears in defense of their cause and joins battle with them against their adversaries, they are naturally filled with the most triumphant joy.

The beautiful play on the words see and fear in Hebrew cannot be transferred to our language; the form of the expression suggests that they would see, and see effectively.