A Tree
Psalms 52:8-9
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.
KJV
The definition of the olive tree is important in this passage but even more so is the fact that David
knew his standing in the presence of God. He knew that he was a pleasure to God in the house of
God. He knew that being a pleasure to God would bring God's favor and blessing to his life. He knew
that to remain the pleasure of God in God's house or presence he would have to trust in the life
sustaining mercy of God. And he gave God praise for he knew that God was the one who gave all he
needed to be all God would take pleasure in. Thus he made it a practice to wait on or serve the Lord in
the presence of the people.
The green olive tree means David by choice was a live, prosperous, flourishing praise unto the Lord in
the presence of the Lord for the Lords pleasure ever serving him in the presence of the people so that
the people could see and rejoice in the pleasure of God and God's blessing upon the kingdom. It did
not mean that David did not carry on or live a normal lifestyle as a man, husband, father, warrior, or
king. It did not mean that David slept down at the church house. Or that he fluttered around with wings
attached to his shoulder blades. What is does mean is that his first pleasure was the pleasure of God
that ensured every pleasure and joy of man that came after this pleasure. What it does mean is that
David put God first and that he did it from his heart with desire for God and not duty. Therefore his
desires were given to him by the desire of God and not accomplished by the strength of mans duty.
What it does mean is that everyone from David’s servants, family, Kingdom or enemy could look and
see the favor of God upon him. David dressed himself in praise to look good to and for God and God
in turn made David look good to all who had eyes to see.
Every day of our life we will put forth special effort to look good for someone and we should. But may I
ask? Have you recently dressed in praise as that green olive tree to look good for God first? Who you
look good for makes an impact for the favor returned for that look does it not? Did God get the first
and the best look today? This is called a favor factor. A factor that you need everyday of your life so
you do not have to live this life out of only duty strength.
If you did not start your day like this. Stop now and say Lord I thank you for your mercy that has risen
on me today and I will serve you and love you with all my spirit, strength, soul and mind today. Others
will see and be blessed and it is my pleasure to be your pleasure. Now let a little praise keep slipping
out of your lips through out the day and you will keep looking good for the Lord and your day will look
and be much better. And you will feel better just to know you just have that look.