Psalms 52

1 “For the leader of the music. A psalm of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, and said to him, David is come to the house of Abimelech.” Why gloriest thou in mischief, thou man of violence? The goodness of God yet continueth daily.

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 mischief, Like a sharp razor, thou contriver of deceit!

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

3 Thou lovest evil more than good, And to lie more than to speak truth. (Pause)

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

4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue!

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

5 Thee also shall God utterly destroy! o He shall seize thee, and tear thee from thy dwelling-place, And uproot thee 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 The righteous shall see and fear, And shall laugh at him.

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

7 “Behold the man that made not God his strength, But trusted in the abundance of his riches, And placed his strength 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 I shall be like a green olive-tree in the house of God; I will trust in the goodness 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 for what thou hast done; I will trust in thy name, because it is good, Before the eyes of thy godly ones!

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.