Psalms 52

1 Why boast you yourself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endures continually.

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 The tongue devises mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

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

3 You love evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. (Selah)

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

4 You love all devouring words, O you deceitful tongue.

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

5 God shall likewise destroy you for ever, he shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and root you out of the land of the living. (Selah)

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 also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

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

7 See, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself 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 am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy 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 you for ever, because you have done it: and I will wait on your name; for it is good before your saints.

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.