Psalm 52 - Judgment on the Deceitful

To the leader.

A Maskil of David, when Doeg the Edomite came to Saul and said to him,

"David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”

Why do you boast, O mighty one, of mischief done against the godly?[a] All day long 2 you are plotting destruction. Your tongue is like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery. 3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking the truth. Selah 4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.

5 But 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 6 The righteous will see, and fear, and will laugh at the evildoer,[b] saying, 7 “See the one who would not take refuge in God, but trusted in abundant riches, and sought refuge in wealth!”[c]

8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. 9 I will thank you forever, because of what you have done. In the presence of the faithful I will proclaim[d] your name, for it is good.

Footnotes

a. Psalm 52:1 Cn Compare Syr: Heb the kindness of God

b. Psalm 52:6 Heb him

c. Psalm 52:7 Syr Tg: Heb in his destruction

d. Psalm 52:9 Cn: Heb wait for

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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