Psalms 52

1 For the end, [a Psalm] of instruction by David, when Doec the Idumean came and told Saul, and said to him, David is gone to the house of Abimelech. Why dost thou, O mighty man, boast of iniquity in [thy] mischief? All the day

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 has devised unrighteousness; like a sharpened razor thou hast wrought deceit.

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

3 Thou hast loved wickedness more than goodness; unrighteousness better than to speak righteousness. (Pause)

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

4 Thou has loved all words of destruction, [and] a deceitful tongue.

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

5 Therefore may God destroy thee for ever, may he pluck thee up and utterly remove thee from [thy] dwelling, and thy root from the land of the living. (Pause)

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 And the righteous shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say,

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

7 Behold the man who made not God his help; but trusted in the abundance of his wealth, and strengthened himself in his vanity.

‘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 I am as a fruitful olive in the house of God: I have trusted in the mercy of God for ever, even for evermore.

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 thanks to thee for ever, for thou hast done [it]: and I will wait on thy name; for [it is] good before the saints.

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.