Psalm 52 (51):6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Therefore, save yourself, if you can, from ruin. You have escaped from wreckage only to embrace falsehood. If you do not drown, hold onto the plank and let the tree carry you; allow the Cross to lead you. Yet now, being a fleshly being, a mere mortal, what will you do? You have cherished every word of immersion, a deceitful tongue. This came before; the words of baptism followed the false tongue. What is a deceitful tongue? It is the instrument of falsehood, where one thought exists in the heart while another is spoken. Yet, within this lies subversion; in this lies immersion.

In all matters, he acted with malice, driven by animosity and longing for the demise of the priest and all those who perished alongside him. Thus, the deceitful declarations of Doicus are referred to as ‘floods’, as his words drowned the entire priestly community in despair.

He referred to such speech as a deceptive flood and a smooth-tongued flatterer, which has the power to completely ruin through lies. This way of speaking is reminiscent of those who are submerged in water, dragging others down into the depths alongside them. Doicus exemplified this, as through his deceitful accusations against Abimelech, he completely devastated the entire city of priests. Similarly, Rapsacus attempted to achieve the same outcome but failed; he offered false assurances to those on the walls but succeeded in capturing nothing.

You cherish all the words of destruction, the deceitful tongue. The shepherd of mules, Doic, states that you embrace all those expressions that overwhelm and ruin the individuals they affect, much like violent waves. In certain references, it is noted: a deceitful tongue, which should be considered on its own; you cherish all the words of destruction, and once more (you cherish) a deceitful tongue. St. Cyril suggests that this may also be directed at the leaders of the Jews and Judas, who reviled Christ. Athanasius notes that the falsehoods of Doic served as the waters of destruction, for through his words, he engulfed the entire priestly city as if it were in an abyss.

The text conveys the idea that the verse reflects on the destructive power of deceitful speech, as illustrated in the second half where it highlights that subtlety can lead to flattery. The phrase "as a razor of subtlety hast thou wrought flattery" (Psalms 51:4) suggests that the tools of ill-intentioned individuals—flattering and duplicitous words aimed at the strong—ultimately bring about the downfall of others. Such destructive words envelop their target like a flood, consuming dignity, wealth, and even life itself. The term "flood" denotes devastation inflicted upon another, and there is a complete affection for such speech, indicating that nothing of this nature is absent.

In general, he delighted in all kinds of destructive rhetoric, described as a deceitful tongue. Indeed, he sought to slander, harm, and murder the high priest along with all those who were executed alongside him. Consequently, the false proclamations of Doicus are referred to as the words of destruction. Just as one would drown an entire city of priests with his words, so too can anyone driven by wickedness accomplish such malevolence, wielding the power of evil without restraint.

He clarifies the earlier statement, "Thou lovedst falsehood and unrighteousness," indicating that this deceit was exceedingly harmful, as it led to the ruin of numerous innocent individuals. Consequently, the term flood represents the harmful deeds, afflictions, or calamities that arise from such torrents, to which the tongue of the accuser is likened in this context.

Ultimately, it is through Christ that the Holy Spirit unveiled the profound truth to David, as expressed in this psalm: the Savior's betrayal unto death by Judas, who was consumed with wickedness, and the abomination of desolation opposing Christ. The devil ranks among the angels, while Judas held an apostolic position, eternally lost. The olive symbolizes the apostles, who yield an abundant harvest of virtue within the Holy Church and among the other saints. God incarnate—Jesus—delivered all the saints from the depths of hell and established the Church as the steadfast foundation of truth, assuring that the gates of hell will never overcome it.