Psalmorum 52

1 In finem, Intellectus David, Cum venit Doeg Idumæus, et nunciavit Sauli: Venit David in domum Achimelech. Quid gloriaris in malitia, qui potens es in iniquitate?

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 Tota die iniustitiam cogitavit lingua tua: sicut novacula acuta fecisti dolum.

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

3 Dilexisti malitiam super benignitatem: iniquitatem magis quam loqui æquitatem.

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

4 Dilexisti omnia verba præcipitationis, lingua dolosa.

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

5 Propterea Deus destruet te in finem, evellet te, et emigrabit te de tabernaculo tuo: et radicem tuam de terra viventium.

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 Videbunt iusti, et timebunt, et super eum ridebunt, et dicent:

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

7 ecce homo, qui non posuit Deum adiutorem suum: Sed speravit in multitudine divitiarum suarum: et prævaluit in vanitate sua.

‘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 Ego autem, sicut oliva fructifera in domo Dei, speravi in misericordia Dei in æternum: et in sæculum sæculi.

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 Confitebor tibi in sæculum quia fecisti: et expectabo nomen tuum, quoniam bonum est in conspectu sanctorum tuorum.

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.