How do we deal with characters such as Doeg without it affecting our spiritual life? I want to spend today's Day Share looking at a psalm (Psalm 52) written by David as he reflects on the incident we discussed in the Day Share a week ago. Psalm 52 provides us with more insight into this evil man's character and also how we should deal with people like him whom we may well encounter in our lives. Here is a link to last week's mini-message if you wish to read it again.
Here are the first four verses of Psalm 52.
[1] Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?
The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
[2] Your tongue plots destruction,
like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
[3] You love evil more than good,
and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah
[4] You love all words that devour,
O deceitful tongue.
Doeg is described as a 'mighty man.' At first sight this may appear like a compliment but the word itself is neutral describing his power and ability to fight. In 1 Samuel 21, he is described as Saul's 'chief shepherd,' and the writer uses a word which suggests that Doeg was a powerful fighter. We see him in action in the next chapter when he is slaughtering the priests from Nob as well as their families. In Psalm 52, David casts his mind back to his encounter with Doeg and he uses another Hebrew word meaning 'mighty' or a warrior. He uses the word gibbowr which is translated as a warrior or tyrant, a strong man. This is the word which was used of Goliath in 1 Samuel 17 when he is described as a champion. "When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled." [1 Samuel 17:51c ESV]. David is comparing the two incidents. The scene in chapter 17 in the valley of Elah ended with Goliath dead and the Philistines fleeing in terror. However, David's encounter with the 'sleekit' Doeg (to use a Scots word) resulted in David fleeing in panic to take refuge with the Philistines and Doeg being given authority to carry out a slaughter of men of God.
David remembers Doeg's evil boasting and his slander. He refers to the destructiveness of Doeg's tongue which he compares to a sharp razor. He describes Doeg as a plotter who is deceitful and malicious. Doeg 'loves words that devour.' This psalm reminds us of the evil which can be perpetrated with our tongues.
David is well aware that Doeg was deceitful when he relayed to Saul what he had observed that day in the sanctuary in Nob. We noticed that he added some detail which was not recorded in 1 Samuel 21 when he claimed that Ahimelech had enquired of the Lord for David. We also noted that Doeg made no effort to present the truth of how David had lied to Ahimilech when he claimed that he was on a mission from Saul. If Doeg had accurately described what happened that day and had reported the full conversation, perhaps Saul would not have hastily ordered the deaths of these priestly men.
But, the Psalm also reminds us how to deal with men like Doeg and it centres on one aspect of God's character - his chesed or steadfast love. Steadfast love - this is a translation of a lovely Hebrew word chesed or hesed. [See Day Share for 15/05/2020 - God's Loving Kindness.) This word is sometimes translated as 'mercy' or 'kindness' or 'loving-kindness.' There is no word for 'grace' in the Old Testament. This word is the nearest word that we get describing the boundless , limitless love of God shown in the way he dealt with His people, the nation of Israel.
And David allows God's loving kindness to dominate his thinking rather than becoming obsessed with the Doegs of this world. He describes his state of mind poetically - "I am like a green tree in the house of God" He is producing fruit because he is trusting in God's gracious steadfast love. He stresses the idea of permanence and stability partly by repeating the word, 'forever.'
"I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because you have done it." [Psalm 52 8b - 9a ESV] He acknowledges God's sovereign control over the events of earth and God's power. David has not needed to fight Doeg - he has left that to God. He recognises the source of his strength comes from God - 'you have done it.' [Psalm 52:9 ESV]
In the middles of this Psalm, there is a description of justice being meted out to Doeg and we as Christians might not be comfortable with this. We have been taught to turn the other cheek and we don't like to think of God punishing the wicked. But David acknowledges that God's justice is perfect and that we can leave this to God. God is a God of justice and judgement because He cares about mankind. We should never be tempted to take the law into our own hands and seek to act in judgement (except in clearly defined roles). It might seem strange to read that the Psalm writer actually laughs at his downfall but notice the context - 'the righteous shall see and fear.' We have a reference to God laughing at the judgement of the wicked in Psalm 2. Here the righteous are rejoicing in the righteous judgements of our God.
[5] But God will break you (i.e. Doeg) down forever;
he will snatch and tear you from your tent;
he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
[6] The righteous shall see and fear,
and shall laugh at him, saying,
[7] “See the man who would not make
God his refuge,
but trusted in the abundance of his riches
and sought refuge in his own destruction!”
We are able to trust in God whose way is perfect and whose judgements are just. This is a warning to anyone who is not trusting in the living God but is depending on their own strength or their social status or their wealth or whatever. The overarching message is that Doeg and his like only survive for an allotted time - but 'the steadfast love of God endures all the day.' (verse 1)
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