When David had gone to Ahimelek the priest for nourishment (1 Sam 21) Doeg the Edomite had been there. He reported David to Saul and accused Ahimelek of conspiring with David against Saul. This was not true, yet Saul ordered Doeg to strike down Ahimelek and all the priests of the LORD, as well as their whole city including women, children and livestock (1 Sam 22).
It is hard to make sense of the wickedness and outright violence and brutality that we see in the world by the hand of wicked rulers and the people who profit from them. Their stronghold is money and power from destroying others (7).
Rather than drown in bitterness or despair, David wrote a psalm that recognizes God’s unfailing love as his stronghold. Even in the midst of wickedness, he could flourish and hold on to hope.
Jul 11, 2026
WHAT IS YOUR STRONGHOLD?
Passage: bible.psalm 52:1-9
Key verse: 8
NIV
chapter 52
1. [For the director of music. A maskil of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: "David has gone to the house of Ahimelek."] Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
2. You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.
3. You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth.
4. You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!
5. Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.
6. The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying,
7. "Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!"
8. But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.
9. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Lord, help me not to grow bitter or complacent toward the evil in the world but stay rooted in your unfailing love and hope.
One Word: Trust in God’s unfailing love