John Calvin Commentary Psalms 52:7

"Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, But trusted in the abundance of his riches, And strengthened himself in his wickedness." — Psalms 52:7 (ASV)

Lo! this is the man that made not God his strength. Some think that these words are given as what should afterwards be proverbially applied to Doeg; but they do not appear to have been intended in that restricted sense. They merely express the lesson which the people of God would learn from the judgment.

It would teach them, on the one hand, to be patient under the insolence of the ungodly, which is so quickly humbled; and, on the other, to beware of indulging a similarly infatuated spirit themselves. They would laugh at their destruction, yet not by insulting them, but by rejoicing more and more in the confidence of God's help, and more cheerfully renouncing the vain pleasures of this world.

This is the lesson to be learned from such dispensations of providence: they should recall our wandering affections to God. The verse is introduced with an exclamation, Lo! this is the man, etc.; for David would have us look upon this one instance as vividly representing to us the end of all who despise the Lord. It may be remarked that it is no small point of practical wisdom to thus generalize individual providences.

The two clauses, made not God his strength, and, trusted in the abundance of his riches, are mutually connected. For no one can be said to sincerely rely on God except one who has been emptied of all confidence in his own resources. As long as people imagine that they have something of their own in which they can boast, they will never turn to God. Just in proportion as we arrogate to ourselves do we derogate from him. And it is not only wealth, but any other earthly possession, which, by engrossing our confidence, may prevent us from seeking the Lord.

The noun הוה, havah, which most interpreters have rendered wickedness, and some slaughter or destruction, seems, in this place, rather to mean substance. Such repetitions of the same sentiment in different words are common with the Psalmist; and, according to this translation, the verse will flow connectedly, reading: the man who trusts in his riches, and strengthens himself in his substance, defrauds God of his just glory.