Psalms 52

1 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.

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

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

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

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

4 You love slanderous words that destroy others, you liar!

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

5 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)

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

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

7 “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!”

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

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.