Psalm 52:8 But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.

Having just talked about someone who trusted in material things and practiced evil, David here presents himself as an example of the opposite of those things. Two things strike me about this verse. The first is David’s choice of an olive tree as a metaphor. As trees go, olives aren’t that impressive, but they have two important characteristics that apply here. The first is that they are fruitful, which makes them valuable. In David’s time, containers of olive oil were literally used like money at times, so in a sense you could call them money trees. Olive oil was and is a very useful commodity. The second thing about olive trees is that they are very long-lived. There are trees today that are over 1,000 years old, still producing a crop every year. In his metaphor, David places the olive tree in the house of God. At the time, the temple had not been built, and there were no trees inside the tabernacle, so this is obviously just talking about closeness to God. Also, trees are planted; they don’t wander away. David’s commitment to God wasn’t an on again, off again thing. He stresses that in the last part of the verse, and the phrase he uses for “forever” is “from age to age without limit.” Each of us goes through various “ages” in our lives, from childhood to young adulthood to middle age to senior years, and many in between. Some people seem to limit their “religiosity” to one or a few of those, but David was placing no limit on his commitment. That’s an example for us all!

I like to think that I am such an olive tree, but my value is determined by my God. As a pastor, I need to encourage “olive tree like” characteristics in the believers. I particularly need to help them understand that they won’t be fruitful unless they are planted, in the Word of God and in the Body of Christ. Some take in little or no spiritual nourishment on a daily basis, and then wonder why their lives seem fruitless. Others attend church “when they feel like it,” and again wonder at their lack of productivity. I need to help them understand the principles that apply, that are actually obvious for anyone to see, but which we often overlook. I am to be an example and a guide, watering the trees in my olive grove, so to speak, and encouraging all to go deeper in Christ.

Father, thank You for this beautiful word picture. Help me be more and more fruitful, both in the fruit of the Spirit and in souls brought into Your kingdom, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!