Psalms 52
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Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
2 The tongue deviseth mischiefs; 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, O thou deceitful tongue.
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.
6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
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 I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever 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.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 52:1-9
The Steadfast Love of God Endures
To the choirmaster. A Maskil of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”
1Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?
The steadfast love of God endures all the day.
2Your tongue plots destruction,
like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.
3You love evil more than good,
and lying more than speaking what is right. Selah
4You love all words that devour,
O deceitful tongue.
5But God will break you down forever;
he will snatch and tear you from your tent;
he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
6The righteous shall see and fear,
and shall laugh at him, saying,
7“See the man who would not make
God his refuge,
but trusted in the abundance of his riches
and sought refuge in his own destruction!”
8But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.
9I will thank you forever,
because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good,
in the presence of the godly.
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 52:1-9
Psalm 52
For the director of music. A maskil of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.”
1Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?
Why do you boast all day long,
you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
2You who practice deceit,
your tongue plots destruction;
it is like a sharpened razor.
3You love evil rather than good,
falsehood rather than speaking the truth.
4You love every harmful word,
you deceitful tongue!
5Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent;
he will uproot you from the land of the living.
6The righteous will see and fear;
they will laugh at you, saying,
7“Here now is the man
who did not make God his stronghold
but trusted in his great wealth
and grew strong by destroying others!”
8But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.
9For what you have done I will always praise you
in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will hope in your name,
for your name is good.
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
Have you ever had to live with a physical or emotionally oppressive person? Some of you reading this commentary know what life is like under a cruel dictator, an uncaring and exploitative employer, an abusive spouse, or in a relationship with an artful manipulator. This is the situation spoken about in Psalm 52. Every line of the first four verses profiles the abuser of power, the “mighty man” who plots the destruction of others, who boasts all day long, who loves evil rather than good, falsehood rather than the truth, and whose words are deceitful and harmful. Such a person, says verse 1, is a disgrace to God.
What words would you rather have on your gravestone? It could be that of verse 7: “Here is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others.” Or it could be that of verse 8: “I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.”
Garth Bainbridge
Australia
