Psalms 52

1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said to him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God [endureth] continually.

For the music director. A psalm (maskil) of David, concerning the time when Doeg the Edomite went to Saul and told him, “David has gone to the home of Ahimelech.” You great man, why do you boast about the evil things you've done? God's trustworthy love lasts all day long.

2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

You plot to make people suffer; your words cut like a sharp razor, you liar!

3 Thou lovest evil more than good; [and] lying rather than to speak righteousness. (Selah)

You love evil more than good, and telling lies more than speaking the truth. (Selah)

4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O [thou] deceitful tongue.

You love slanderous words that destroy others, you liar!

5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of [thy] dwelling-place, and root thee out of the land of the living. (Selah)

But God will strike you down so hard you'll never get up. He will grab hold of you and drag you from your tent. He will tear you out of the land of the living. (Selah)

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

Those who do right will see all this. They will be astonished and laugh, saying,

7 Lo, [this is] the man [that] made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, [and] strengthened himself in his wickedness.

“See what happens to those who don't go to God for help but instead rely on their great wealth and strength—which only brings their destruction!”

8 But I [am] like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

But I'm like an olive tree growing strongly in God's house. I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever.

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

I will praise you forever, God, for all you have done. In the presence of your trustworthy people, I will place my hope in the kind of person you are, for you are good.