King James Version

What Does Psalms 52:7 Mean?

Psalms 52:7 in the King James Version says “Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 52 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. wickedness: or, substance”

Psalms 52:7 · KJV

Strength

Context

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. destroy: Heb. beat thee down

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. wickedness: or, substance

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.

Read Psalms 52 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse pronounces judgment on the wicked man described throughout the psalm, identifying the root of his evil: misplaced trust. The structure contrasts false security (riches and wickedness) with true security (God as strength).

"Lo" (hinneh, הִנֵּה) is an attention-getting particle: "Look!" "Behold!" "See!" It calls observers to witness and learn from the wicked man's fate. This is exemplary judgment—meant to instruct, not merely punish. The righteous should observe and understand what happens to those who reject God.

"Made not God his strength" (lo yasim Elohim ma'uzo, לֹא יָשִׂים אֱלֹהִים מָעֻזּוֹ) uses ma'oz (מָעוֹז), meaning strength, stronghold, fortress, refuge. The verb sim (שִׂים) means to set, place, establish. The wicked man didn't establish God as his fortress—the secure place he retreated to in danger, the strength he relied on in crisis. Instead, he looked elsewhere for security.

"But trusted in the abundance of his riches" (vayivtach berov 'ashro, וַיִּבְטַח בְּרֹב עָשְׁרוֹ) uses batach (בָּטַח), meaning to trust, be confident, feel secure. Rov (רֹב) means abundance, multitude—not just having wealth but having much wealth. Osher (עֹשֶׁר) means riches, wealth. The wicked man's security was financial—he believed money would protect him, provide for him, secure his future. This is the ancient equivalent of modern materialism: trusting in accumulated wealth rather than God.

"And strengthened himself in his wickedness" (ya'oz behawwato, יָעֹז בְּהַוָּתוֹ) is striking. Azaz (עָזַז) means to be strong, prevail, harden. Havvah (הַוָּה) means craving, desire, destruction—it can mean both lustful desire and the destructive calamity that results. Some translations render this "strengthened himself in his destructiveness" or "took refuge in his greed." The wicked man found strength not in righteousness but in his evil desires and destructive actions. His wickedness itself became his fortress—he hardened himself in sin rather than repenting.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Doeg's trust in riches and power rather than God is implicit in his actions. As Saul's chief herdsman (1 Samuel 21:7), Doeg held significant position and wealth in the royal court. His willingness to massacre priests suggests he calculated that loyalty to Saul was more valuable than loyalty to God—political and economic security mattered more than righteousness. He strengthened his position by doing what Saul's own servants refused, demonstrating ruthless willingness to commit atrocities.

The contrast between trusting God and trusting riches runs throughout Scripture. Proverbs 11:28: "He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch." Psalm 49:6-7: "They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." Ecclesiastes demonstrates wealth's inability to satisfy or secure.

Jesus taught extensively on this theme. Matthew 6:24: "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Luke 12:15-21 tells the parable of the rich fool who trusted in abundant crops but died that night—"So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." The rich young ruler couldn't follow Jesus because wealth was his security (Mark 10:17-25). Paul warned: "they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare" (1 Timothy 6:9).

The phrase "strengthened himself in his wickedness" describes the hardening process. Hebrews 3:13 warns against being "hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Each evil choice makes the next easier; each moral compromise deadens conscience further. Doeg didn't stumble accidentally into massacre—he progressively hardened himself through choices that prioritized self-interest over righteousness until slaughtering priests seemed acceptable. This illustrates sanctification's opposite: progressive desensitization to evil through repeated sin.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to 'make God your strength' rather than trusting in riches or other securities, and how is this practiced daily?
  2. Why does trusting in wealth inevitably compete with trusting God, and what does Jesus mean by 'you cannot serve God and mammon'?
  3. How does someone 'strengthen himself in his wickedness'—what is the progressive hardening process that makes evil easier over time?
  4. What false securities (wealth, position, power, reputation, relationships) are you tempted to trust instead of making God your strength?
  5. How can you recognize and resist the 'hardening through sin' that makes wickedness progressively more acceptable to your conscience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
הִנֵּ֤ה1 of 11
H2009

lo!

הַגֶּ֗בֶר2 of 11

“Lo this is the man”

H1397

properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply

לֹ֤א3 of 11
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָשִׂ֥ים4 of 11

“that made”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

אֱלֹהִ֗ים5 of 11

“not God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מָֽע֫וּזּ֥וֹ6 of 11

“his strength”

H4581

a fortified place; figuratively, a defense

וַ֭יִּבְטַח7 of 11

“but trusted”

H982

properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure

בְּרֹ֣ב8 of 11

“in the abundance”

H7230

abundance (in any respect)

עָשְׁר֑וֹ9 of 11

“of his riches”

H6239

wealth

יָ֝עֹ֗ז10 of 11

“and strengthened”

H5810

to be stout (literally or figuratively)

בְּהַוָּתֽוֹ׃11 of 11

“himself in his wickedness”

H1942

by implication, of falling); desire; also ruin

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 52:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 52:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 17:5Ecclesiastes 8:8Psalms 49:6-20Psalms 73:18-20John 19:5Job 31:24-25

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 52 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 52 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes