The End of the Wicked and the Peace of the Godly

To the Chief Musician. A [a]Contemplation of David (A)when Doeg the Edomite went and (B)told Saul, and said to him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.”

52 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 [b]wickedness.”

But I am (C)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 [c]is good.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 52:1 Heb. Maschil
  2. Psalm 52:7 Lit. desire, in evil sense
  3. Psalm 52:9 Or has a good reputation

Futility of Boastful Wickedness.

To the Chief Musician. A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem. A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”

52 Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?
The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.

Your tongue devises destruction,
Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

You love evil more than good,
And falsehood more than speaking what is right. Selah.

You love all words that devour,
O deceitful tongue.


But God will break you down forever;
He will take you away and tear you away from your tent,
And uproot you from the land of the living. Selah.

The righteous will see it and fear,
And will [scoffingly] laugh, saying,

“Look, [this is] the man who would not make God his strength [his stronghold and fortress],
But trusted in the abundance of his riches,
Taking refuge in his wealth.”


But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;
I trust [confidently] in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.

I will thank You forever, because You have done it, [You have rescued me and kept me safe].
I will wait on Your name, for it is good, in the presence of Your godly ones.