Attributed commentary excerpt
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 52:8
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Notes on the Whole Bible
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · 19th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
But I am like a green olive-tree in the house of God - I am safe and happy, notwithstanding the effort made by my enemy, the informer, to secure my destruction. I have been kept unharmed, like a green and flourishing tree - a tree protected in the very courts of the sanctuary - safe under the care and the eye of God. A green tree is the emblem of prosperity. See Psalms 1:3, note; Psalms 37:35, note; compare Psalms 92:12. The “house of God” here referred to is the tabernacle, considered as the place where God was supposed to reside. See Psalms 15:1, note; Psalms 23:6, note; Psalms 27:4-5, notes. The particular allusion here is to the “courts” of the tabernacle. An olive tree would not be cultivated in the tabernacle, but it might in the “courts” or “area” which surrounded it. The name “house of God” would be given to the whole area, as it was afterward to the entire area in which the temple was. A tree thus planted in the very courts of the sanctuary would be regarded as sacred, and would be safe as long as the tabernacle itself was safe, for it would be, as it were, directly under the divine protection. So David had been, notwithstanding all the efforts of his enemies to destroy him. I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever - (a) I “have” always done it. It has been my constant practice in trouble or danger. (b) I “will” always do it. As the result of all my experience, I will still do it; and thus trusting in God, I shall have the consciousness of safety. return to 'Top of Page'
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