But I am like an olive tree
Psalm 52:8-10 NIV
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.
For what you have done I will always praise you
in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will hope in your name,
for your name is good.
Psalm 52 has three measures. The first is about the mighty one who is boastful and deceitful. They are in a place of influence but use it only to their own advantage, not caring about other people.
The second measure describes the judgment that they will face. They trusted in their wealth and ability, growing rich at the expense of others. And, in the end, they will be uprooted and cast down.
The psalmist then contrasts his own life with the one described at the beginning of the psalm. That one trusted in himself but was uprooted and faced God’s judgment. In contrast, the psalmist is like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God. A tree whose roots grow deep and whose branches spread out and up. A tree that thrives and is fruitful. This metaphorical language is similar to that of the tree planted by streams of water in Psalm 1:3.
Why did the psalmist flourish? And how can we flourish today? By trusting in God’s unfailing love rather than in the material things of this world. Trust in the Lord. Let your roots sink deep into the fertile soil of God’s presence. Grow strong in him and his love. And, when you do, no storm of life will be able to shake you. Instead, regardless of what may come, you will, like the psalmist, flourish in the house of God, being strong and fruitful.
