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

This psalm relates to Doeg the Edomite, who informed Saul how Ahimelech the high priest had entertained David and his servants; and who, in consequence thereof, had murdered Ahimelech, and above fourscore other priests, 1 Sam. 22. Here, (1.) David charges Doeg that, notwithstanding the manifested and everlasting goodness of God, he gloried in his malice, craft, cruelty, and other wickedness, ver. 1-5. (2.) By the spirit of prophecy he condemns him for his wickedness, to be plucked from his dwelling, and rooted out of the land of the living, to the great joy of the fearers of God, ver. 6-7. (3.) He comforts himself in the everlasting mercy of God, and with the assured hopes that he should yet praise him for his kindness, ver, 8-9.

Learn, O my soul, to detest all deceit and cruelty. Learn to imitate the goodness of God, which endureth continually; and while friends are cut off, or foes prevail, let me live by faith on a gracious God, as my all and in all.

1 Why dost thou boast, O mighty man,
of mischief and of ill?
The goodness of Almighty God
endureth ever still.

2 Thy tongue mischievous calumnies
deviseth subtilely,
Like to a razor sharp to cut,
working deceitfully.

3 Ill more than good, and more than truth
thou lovest to speak wrong:
4 Thou lovest all-devouring words,
O thou deceitful tongue.

5 So God shall thee destroy for aye,
remove thee, pluck thee out
Quite from thy house, out of the land
of life he shall thee root.

6 The righteous shall it see, and fear,
and laugh at him they shall:
7 Lo, this the man is that did not
make God his strength at all:

But he in his abundant wealth
his confidence did place;
And he took strength unto himself
from his own wickedness.

8 But I am in the house of God
like to an olive green:
My confidence for ever hath
upon God’s mercy been.

9 And I for ever will thee praise,
because thou hast done this:
I on thy name will wait; for good
before thy saints it is.