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Psalm 52  
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? You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor. You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue! 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. The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying, “Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!” But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. 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.

As David was fleeing from a jealous King Saul, he stopped by Nob where Ahimelek, the priest, provided food for his men. Unfortunately, Doeg the Edomite (never trust an Edomite) was in the crowd and spilled the beans to Saul. Saul went to Nob and ordered all the priests put to death. When none of Saul’s men would comply, Doeg stepped forward and killed eighty-five priests! Saul continued his outrageous act by completely wiping out the men, women, children, and infants of Nob. One of Ahimelek’s sons escaped and reported the travesty to David. Psalm 52 is David’s response.

Read the entire psalm to feel David’s righteous indignation. He describes Doeg as a “disgrace in the eyes of God” who will be brought down to “everlasting ruin.” This will be the end result for all who live their lives destroying others. But where’s the grace? 

I want to be careful here because I know some will misunderstand. Certainly, God is a God of grace and he is a God of justice. How can we see the destructive sin of others and not feel indignation? Jesus did. Remember the money changers in the temple? Yes, God’s grace is our only hope but it is not a trump card for sin. We need to live with grace AND indignation toward sin. And…the indignation has to start with the sin in our own lives. 

Father, help me to not grow calloused to sin and its results. Never let me use grace as a license to sin or a trump card for others. Help my heart beat with Yours. Help me respond emotionally to sin…beginning in my own life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.