Daily Devotion: Psalm 52:7-9

Psalm 52:7-9     "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.  (8 )  But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.  (9)  I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints."

The writer is presenting a contrast between those who trust in themselves and their own accomplishments and those who place their trust and confidence in God. The first six verses of this Psalm speak of the dryness and ultimate destruction of those who feel they can buy their way through life and ultimately into heaven. The Psalmist speaks of those people as loving evil more than good. There is an ultimate end to them. He says in verse 5, "God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah." Think about this! What could be more important than walking in fellowship with our Lord? I realize there are things in life that grab our attention. There are things we enjoy doing or we enjoy possessing that give pleasure. But how long does that last? I have found that those things run their course and then we find ourselves empty and looking for something else. 

 But notice verse 8, " But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever."  Why did he use the olive tree as an example? Again, he is contrasting good and evil. That which is earthly is purely temporary. It will not last. It cannot last. But by using the evergreen olive tree, the Psalmist is saying the righteousness that is found in God is everlasting. There are pure and lasting joys to be experienced when we choose to follow the Lord instead of the ways of the world. He said he is like a "green olive tree in the house of God."  Even the olive tree needs nurturing. It needs to be in good soil, watered, and pruned. We need that which is only found in the house of God. We do ourselves a great injustice when we fail to be faithful in Church attendance. It is there that we are to find nurturing. "I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints."  

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O earth– His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! highest archangels in glory;
strength and honor give to His holy name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children;
in His arms He carries them all day long.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness.
Praise Him! Praise Him ever in joyful song!