Psalms 52:1

This verse states the theme of the Psalm; the contrast between man's wrongdoing and God's lovingkindness. The two halves of the verse correspond to the two divisions of the Psalm. The statement of the second line is abruptly introduced, but it is virtually the answer to the question of the first. What avails it thee to boast of successful evil-doing (Psalms 10:3)? it is vain: the lovingkindness of God (endureth) all the day; that covenant love in which the Psalmist trusts (Psalms 52:8), and of which all His -saints" (Psalms 52:9) are the object.

O mighty man Perhaps simply, as P.B.V., thou tyrant, for power soon degenerates into tyranny: but rather perhaps with sarcastic irony, thou hero!Cp. Isaiah 5:22; Jeremiah 9:3.

God El, -the strong one" (cp. Psalms 50:1), is significantly used here. The braggart tyrant thinks himself strong, but there is a stronger than he, who will call him to account.