Psalms
Summary
Psalm 52 is a maskil of David, written in response to the betrayal of Doeg the Edomite. It rebukes the "mighty man" who boasts in mischief and trusts in his own riches rather than God. David describes the wicked tongue as a "sharp razor" that loves devouring words. The psalm prophesies that God will "pluck you out of your dwelling place" while the righteous look on and trust in God. In contrast to the rootedness of the wicked in pride, David declares that he is "like a flourishing olive tree in the house of God," trusting in God's mercy for ever.
Why do you boast of mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually.
Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
You love evil more than good, and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
You love all devouring words, O you deceitful tongue.
God shall likewise destroy you for ever; he shall take you away and pluck you out of your dwelling place, and root you out of the land of the living. Selah.
The righteous also shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying,
"Look! 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 flourishing olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
I will praise you for ever because you have done it; and I will wait on your name, for it is good before your saints.