Psalms 52
[1]David reproving the spiteful malice of Doeg, prophesieth his destruction. [6]The righteous shall rejoice at it. [8]David in confidence of God's mercy giveth him thanks.
To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.
1. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
2. Thy 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.
To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually. Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. 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. The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: 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. But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. 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.
NKJV
1.
Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The goodness of God endures continually.
2.
Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3.
You love evil more than good,
Lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah
4.
You love all devouring words,
You deceitful tongue.
5.
God shall likewise destroy you forever;
He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place,
And uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
6.
The righteous also shall see and fear,
And shall laugh at him, saying,
7.
“Here is the man who did not make 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 forever and ever.
9.
I will praise You forever,
Because You have done it;
And in the presence of Your saints
I will wait on Your name, for it is good.
Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man?
The goodness of God endures continually.
Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
You love evil more than good,
Lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah
You love all devouring words,
You deceitful tongue.
God shall likewise destroy you forever;
He shall take you away, and pluck you out of your dwelling place,
And uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
The righteous also shall see and fear,
And shall laugh at him, saying,
“Here is the man who did not make God his strength,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches,
And strengthened himself in his wickedness.”
But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.
I will praise You forever,
Because You have done it;
And in the presence of Your saints
I will wait on Your name, for it is good.
Metrical version
Psalm 52
C.M.
Why dost thou boast, O mighty man, of mischief and of ill? The goodness of Almighty God endureth ever still. Thy tongue mischievous calumnies deviseth subtilely, Like to a razor sharp to cut, working deceitfully. Ill more than good, and more than truth thou lovest to speak wrong: Thou lovest all-devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. So God shall thee destroy for aye, remove thee, pluck thee out Quite from thy house, out of the land of life he shall thee root. The righteous shall it see, and fear, and laugh at him they shall: Lo, this the man is that did not make God his strength at all: But he in his abundant wealth his confidence did place; And he took strength unto himself from his own wickedness. But I am in the house of God like to an olive green: My confidence for ever hath upon God's mercy been. And I for ever will thee praise, because thou hast done this: I on thy name will wait; for good before thy saints it is.
This psalm relates to Doeg the Edomite, who informed Saul how Ahimelech the high priest had entertained David and his servants; and who, in consequence thereof, had murdered Ahimelech, and above fourscore other priests, 1 Sam. 22. Here, (1.) David charges Doeg that, notwithstanding the manifested and everlasting goodness of God, he gloried in his malice, craft, cruelty, and other wickedness, ver. 1-5. (2.) By the spirit of prophecy he condemns him for his wickedness, to be plucked from his dwelling, and rooted out of the land of the living, to the great joy of the fearers of God, ver. 6-7. (3.) He comforts himself in the everlasting mercy of God, and with the assured hopes that he should yet praise him for his kindness, ver, 8-9.
Learn, O my soul, to detest all deceit and cruelty. Learn to imitate the goodness of God, which endureth continually; and while friends are cut off, or foes prevail, let me live by faith on a gracious God, as my all and in all.