Background to Psalms 52

Psalm 52, the superscript says:

When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.” (1 Samuel 22:9)

Doeg's sin v1-4

When David, learning of Saul's intention to kill him, fled from Jerusalem toward Achish, he stopped at Nob, on the way, where he was befriended by Abimelech the High Priest, who gave him the showbread for food, and also the sword of Goliath, which David had deposited "in the house of God," there at Nob, following his victory over the Giant of Gath. Abimelech inquired of David about his being alone and about his having left without sufficient food or any weapon, and David merely said, "The King's business required haste," leaving the impression that he was still in Saul's service. Thus, when Abimelech befriended and aided David, he was totally unaware of any rift between Saul and David. Doeg the Edomite, saw his opportunity to ingratiate himself with Saul, and reported the incident in such a manner as to make it appear that Abimelech was in league with David against the king. A more diabolical falsehood was never concocted. Of course, based on Doeg's false report, Saul summonsed Abimelech and his followers to appear before him, upon which occasion he commanded Doeg to slay them all. Eighty-five priests were massacred. This is only another example from history of where slander and murder are equivalent terms. The Biblical account of all this is in 1 Samuel 21-22.

Doeg's punishment v5

The three marks of David's reaction are v8-9: 

(1) his gratitude that God had intervened for him, 

(2) a testimony to the loveliness of God's character, and 

(3) a projected fellowship with God's people.

taken from Coffman's commentary.

Try to gather a collection of images to visualise this psalm.