See note on the superscription of Psa. 32.

Psa. 3 title

Psalms 52—67 may be considered the pious expressions of the psalmists uttered out of their complex sentiments while enjoying God in His house. On the one hand, the psalmists enjoyed God and His salvation, and on the other hand, they condemned their enemies and asked God to judge and destroy them. In these psalms the sentiments of the psalmists were strong, mixed, and complex.

The psalms in this section concern humanity in the ethical realm. They speak of being just and upright and holding on to one’s integrity. However, these things are not the spirituality revealed in the New Testament. The divine revelation in the Bible is progressive. To properly appreciate the Psalms requires the revelation of God’s economy in the New Testament. God’s eternal economy is to impart Himself into man and dispense His riches into man’s inner being (Eph. 3:8-9, 14-19) that He may be man’s life and life supply. By His life and the bountiful supply of His life-giving Spirit (Phil. 1:19b), man can live Him and magnify Him (Phil. 1:20-21a) for His manifestation (1 Tim. 3:16a). In this way, all His chosen people can corporately be His expression as His fullness, His organism, the church (Eph. 1:22-23; 3:19-21). In comparison with the spiritual standard revealed in the New Testament, the spiritual level in these psalms is much inferior. Cf. note Job 6:1¹, par. 2.

In vv. 1-7 David condemned the evil man, and in vv. 8-9 David spoke concerning his enjoyment of God in His house. Here David’s hatred toward his enemy and his praise to God are mixed together. See note Psa. 3:7¹.

Or, refuge.