The Bible — World English Bible

Psalm 52

In brief

Psalm 52 is a psalm of David. Its title places it after the denunciation by Doeg the Edomite, who told Saul that David had been welcomed by the priest Ahimelech (1 Samuel 22). David addresses this powerful man who boasts of his evil and whose tongue destroys like a razor, and announces that God will bring him down. He contrasts himself with him as a green olive tree in the house of God, who trusts in God's loving kindness forever and promises to praise him.

The chapter in 3 parts

  1. v. 1-4The powerful man who boasts and whose tongue destroys
  2. v. 5-7God will bring down the man who trusted in his riches
  3. v. 8-9A green olive tree that hopes in God's loving kindness

1Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God’s loving kindness endures continually.

2Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

3You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking the truth.

4You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue.

5God 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.

6The righteous also will see it, and fear, and laugh at him, saying,

7“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.”

8But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in God’s house. I trust in God’s loving kindness forever and ever.

9I 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.

Key verses

Verse 1
Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God’s loving kindness endures continually.

The title points to Doeg's report to Saul. The verse sets the boasting of the wicked against one statement: the loving kindness of God lasts all day long.

Verse 2
Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

David compares the tongue to a sharp razor. Deceitful words, slander and lies can destroy as much as a weapon.

Verse 7
“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.”

Here is the man who did not make God his refuge but relied on his riches. The psalm shows what becomes of security built without God.

Verse 8
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.

David compares himself to a green olive tree in the house of God. He is rooted in God's presence and leans on his loving kindness, not on his own strength.

Bible verses to meditate on

Test your knowledge

All Bible quizzes →

Characters in this chapter

Frequently asked questions about Psalm 52

What does Psalm 52 mean?

It is David's answer to a powerful man who used his tongue to destroy. The psalm says that those who trust in their malice or their riches will fall, while the one who leans on God's loving kindness stays alive and fruitful like a green olive tree.

Who is Doeg the Edomite in Psalm 52?

Doeg was a servant of Saul. He saw David receive help from the priest Ahimelech at Nob and reported it to the king. When the soldiers refused to strike the priests, Doeg did it himself (1 Samuel 21 and 22). The psalm is David's reaction to that episode.

How can I pray Psalm 52 when I am a victim of slander?

Tell God what the hurtful words have done to you, as David does in verses 1 to 4. Leave justice with him instead of taking revenge. Then say with verse 8 that you trust in his loving kindness, and thank him in advance as in verse 9.

← All chapters

World English Bible translation — public domain.