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Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture
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2015 March 25



The Bravo (1516-1517)
Tiziano Vecellio (c. 1488/1490 - 1576)
Italian Renaissance -- High Renaissance Period; Venetian School
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art


     Explanation: In Psalm 52 David describes the character of an evil man, Doeg, and the fate that awaits him contrasted with the blessing that God will send upon the righteous. Today's painting depicts the hidden menace of a cruel man such as Doeg.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 1 Samuel 21. 1 Samuel 22. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). VARIOUS ARTISTS: Psalm 52 - #1. Psalm 52 - #2. ]

     David asks the mighty man, Doeg, why he boasts in his mischief. The goodness (chesed, mercy) of God endures perpetually. His tongue devises mischief (weaves calamities). It is razor sharp and works deceitfully (treacherously). He loves evil more than good, and lying more than righteousness (1-3). He has affection for devouring and deceit. But God will destroy him forever, take him away, remove him from his dwelling place, and root him out of the land of the living (4-5). The righteous (or just person) will see it, and revere God, and laugh at him. This is the fate of the man who does not make God his strength, but trusts in the abundance of his riches, and strengthens himself in his wickedness. But David, who trusts in God constantly, will be like a green olive tree in the house of God. He will praise God forever because God has accomplished this deliverance; so he will wait on God's goodness which he displays to his saints (6-9).


THE PSALTER:

BOOK TWO OF FIVE:

Psalms 42-72.


Psalm 52

1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, [Transposed To Psalm 51]*


A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. *


Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?
the goodness of God endureth continually.
2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs;
like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3 Thou lovest evil more than good;
and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
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.

6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
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.
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.

1 To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, [Transposed From Psalm 53:1 *


* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]




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