Psalms 52

1 To the chief Musician: an instruction. Of David; when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David came to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in evil, thou mighty man? The loving-kindness of God [abideth] continually.

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 deviseth mischievous things, like a sharp razor, practising deceit.

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

3 Thou hast loved evil rather than good, lying rather than to speak righteousness. (Selah)

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

4 Thou hast loved all devouring words, O deceitful tongue!

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

5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever; he shall take thee away, 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 Behold the man that made not God his strength, but put confidence in the abundance of his riches, [and] strengthened himself in his avarice.

‘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 will confide in the loving-kindness of God for ever 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 praise thee for ever, because thou hast done [it]; and I will wait on thy name, before thy godly ones, 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.