The Steadfast Love of God Endures

To the choirmaster. A Maskil[a] of David, when (A)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 steadfast love of God endures all the day.
Your (B)tongue plots destruction,
    like (C)a sharp razor, you (D)worker of deceit.
You love evil more than good,
    and (E)lying 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 snatch and (F)tear you from your tent;
    he will uproot you from (G)the land of the living. Selah
The righteous shall (H)see and fear,
    and shall (I)laugh at him, saying,
“See the man who would not make
    God his refuge,
but (J)trusted in the abundance of his riches
    and sought refuge in his own destruction!”[b]

But I am like (K)a green olive tree
    in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God
    forever and ever.
I will thank you forever,
    because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, (L)for it is good,
    in the presence of the (M)godly.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 52:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  2. Psalm 52:7 Or in his work of destruction

For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, “David has come to Ahimelech’s house.”

52 Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man?
    God’s loving kindness endures continually.
Your tongue plots destruction,
    like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
You love evil more than good,
    lying rather than speaking the truth. Selah.
You love all devouring words,
    you deceitful tongue.
God will likewise destroy you forever.
    He will take you up, and pluck you out of your tent,
    and root you out of the land of the living. Selah.
The righteous also will see it, and fear,
    and laugh at him, saying,
“Behold, this is the man who didn’t make God his strength,
    but trusted in the abundance of his riches,
    and strengthened himself in his wickedness.”
But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in God’s house.
    I trust in God’s loving kindness forever and ever.
I will give you thanks forever, because you have done it.
    I will hope in your name, for it is good,
    in the presence of your saints.