Psalm 52

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.

1Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.footnote a

2Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

3Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

4Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.footnote b

5God 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.footnote c

6The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

7Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.footnote d

8But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

9I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.

Why Do You Boast of Evil?

For the choirmaster. A Maskil of David. After Doeg the Edomite went to Saul and told him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.”

1Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man?The loving devotion of God endures all day long. 2Your tongue devises destructionlike a sharpened razor,O worker of deceit. 3You love evil more than good,falsehood more than speaking truth.Selah 4You love every word that devours,O deceitful tongue. 5Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin;He will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent;He will uproot you from the land of the living.Selah 6The righteous will see and fear;they will mock the evildoer, saying, 7“Look at the manwho did not make God his refuge,but trusted in the abundance of his wealthand strengthened himself by destruction.”

8But I am like an olive treeflourishing in the house of God;I trust in the loving devotion of Godforever and ever. 9I will praise You forever,because You have done it.I will wait on Your name—for it is good—in the presence of Your saints.