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 do you, O mighty man, boast of iniquity in [your] mischief? All the day

For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, “David has come to Ahimelech’s house.” Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God’s loving kindness endures continually.

2 your tongue has devised unrighteousness; like a sharpened razor you have wrought deceit.

Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

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

You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking the truth. (Selah)

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

You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue.

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

God will likewise destroy you forever. He will take you up, 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,

The righteous also will see it, and fear, and laugh at him, saying,

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

“Behold, this is the man who didn’t make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.”

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 as for me, I am like a green olive tree in God’s house. I trust in God’s loving kindness forever and ever.

9 I will give thanks to you for ever, for you have done [it]: and I will wait on your name; for [it is] good before the saints.

I will give you thanks forever, because you have done it. I will hope in your name, for it is good, in the presence of your saints.