Psalms 52

1 Why boast thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The loving kindness of God is continual.

For the leader. A maskil of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul that David had gone to Abimelech’s house. Why glory in mischief, you hero? God’s kindness is all the day.

2 Thy tongue devises wickedness, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Engulfing ruin you plot, your tongue like a razor sharpened, you practiser of deceit.

3 Thou love evil more than good, and lying rather than to speak righteousness. (Selah)

Evil, not good, you love, and falsehood, not words of truth. (Selah)

4 Thou love all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

But you love all words that devour, and a tongue that is given to deceit.

5 God will likewise destroy thee forever. He will take thee up, and pluck thee out of thy tent, and root thee out of the land of the living. (Selah)

But God, on his part, shall destroy you forever, grasp you and pluck you out of your tent, and root you out of the land of the living. (Selah)

6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying,

Smitten with awe at the sight, the righteous shall laugh at you.

7 Lo, this is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

“Look” (they will say) “at the hero who did not make God his stronghold, but trusted in his great wealth and in the strength of his riches.”

8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the loving kindness of God forever and ever.

But I am like a fresh olive-tree in the house of God. I trust in the kindness of God for ever and evermore.

9 I will give thee thanks forever, because thou have done it. And I will hope in thy name in the presence of thy sanctified, for it is good.

I will render you thanks for ever for what you have done. I will tell how good you are in the presence of those who love you.