Psalms 52:7

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 52:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 52

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, But trusted in the abundance of his riches, And strengthened himself in his wickedness.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Lo, [this is] the man [that] made not God his strength, etc.] The Targum renders it, “that made not the Word of the Lord his strength”. These are the words the righteous would say, when they should see the destruction of Doeg: see the man, the mighty man, and his end; what all his ill gotten honour and riches are come to; and what his wickedness, deceit, and cruelty, have brought upon him. The righteous make the Lord their strength, put their trust in him, in whom is everlasting strength; do all they do in his strength; fly to him as their “strong hold”, as the word f702 may be rendered; thither they run, and are safe: but the rich man’s wealth is his strong city, (<201810>Proverbs…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“for trusting in riches and being strong in "wickedness." wickedness--literally, "mischief" (Psa 52:2), instead of trusting in God. the man--literally, "the mighty man," or "hero" (Psa 52:1).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength - That is, the righteous Psalms 52:6 would say this. They would designate him as a man who had not made God his refuge, but who had trusted in his own resources. The result would be that he would he abandoned by God, and that those things on which he had relied would fail him in the day of calamity. He would be pointed out as an instance of what must occur when a man does not act with a wise reference to the will of God, but, confiding in his own strength and resources, pursues his own plans of iniquity. But trusted in the abundance of his riches - See the notes at Psalms 49:6. From this it would seem that Doeg was a rich man, and that, as a…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Lo: Isa 14:16, Isa 14:17; Joh 19:5 made: Psa 146:3-5; Jer 17:5 trusted: Psa 49:6-20, Psa 62:9, Psa 62:10; Job 31:24, Job 31:25; Ti1 6:17 strengthened: Psa 73:7-11, Psa 73:18-20; Ecc 8:8; Hos 12:7, Hos 12:8 wickedness: or, substance Psalms 52:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification