As the title of the psalm indicates, David composed it while thinking about the dreadful act of Doeg in murdering the priests at Nob on the orders of his master, Saul, to whom he had reported that the priests had helped David by giving him and his men some food (1Samuel 20-21).
David must have heard that Doeg was boasting about what he did (v. 1). Doeg may never have known that he was analysed in a psalm. Despite his powerful position in Saul’s court, he was unaware of the steadfast love of God expressed daily for his people. But, then, Doeg was an Edomite, a hater of Israel.
In verses 2-4, David explains Doeg’s action. He focussed on how Doeg used his tongue, which we might find surprising, given what he had done to the priests. But his actions were consistent with his words, and his words revealed his character. He liked to speak about destruction, liked to tell lies, and liked to use words of violence.
The question is, what will God do about Doeg? David has no doubts (vv. 5-7). God would bring him to a sudden end (like what happens when a wild animal drags a sleeping man from a tent and devours him). This divine action will be understood by the righteous, and will cause them to fear God. Moreover, Doeg, instead of having people praise him as a warrior, will be regarded as a fool because he trusted in the riches accrued from his military career rather than in God.
Doeg, after all, had been detained before the Lord when David came to see the priests. That detaining sounds like some kind of religious activity. But instead of continuing with it, he chose another path which led to his downfall and subsequent derision. What he assumed would protect him led to his destruction.
David, in contrast, knew that he was secure in the household of God (vv. 8-9). He knew that the best response was to trust in the faithfulness of the covenant God. The right response was to use his tongue to praise God and to wait upon him with his people. He would yet be king because God would keep his promises.
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