Psalm 52

1 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The lovingkindness of God endureth continually.

2 Thy tongue deviseth very wickedness, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

3 Thou lovest evil more than good, And lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah

4 Thou lovest all devouring words, thou deceitful tongue.

5 God will likewise destroy thee for ever; He will take thee up, and pluck thee out of thy tent, And root thee out of the land of the living. Selah

6 The righteous also shall see it, and fear, And shall laugh at him, 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.

8 But as for me, I am like a green olive-tree in the house of God: I trust in the lovingkindness of God for ever and ever.

9 I will give thee thanks for ever, because thou hast done it; And I will hope in thy name, for it is good, in the presence of thy saints.

Psalm 52

For the music director; a well-written song by David. It was written when Doeg the Edomite went and informed Saul: “David has arrived at the home of Ahimelech.”3

1 Why do you boast about your evil plans, O powerful man?
God’s loyal love protects me all day long!

2 Your tongue carries out your destructive plans;
it is as effective as a sharp razor, O deceiver.

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

4 You love to use all the words that destroy,
and the tongue that deceives.

5 Yet God will make you a permanent heap of ruins.
He will scoop you up and remove you from your home;
he will uproot you from the land of the living. (Selah)

6 When the godly see this, they will be filled with awe,
and will mock the evildoer, saying:

7 “Look, here is the man who would not make God his protector!
He trusted in his great wealth
and was confident about his plans to destroy others.”

8 But I am like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God;
I continually trust in God’s loyal love.

9 I will continually thank you when you execute judgment;
I will rely on you, for your loyal followers know you are good.