Psalms
Chapter 52

1

¹ For the leader. A maskil of David,

2

when Doeg the Edomite went and told Saul, "David went to the house of Ahimelech."

3

Why do you glory in evil, you scandalous liar? All day long

4

you plot destruction; your tongue is like a sharpened razor, you skillful deceiver.

5

You love evil rather than good, lies rather than honest speech. Selah

6

You love any word that destroys, you deceitful tongue.

7

Now God will strike you down, leave you crushed forever, Pluck you from your tent, uproot you from the land of the living. Selah

8

The righteous will look on with awe; they will jeer and say:

9

"That one did not take God as a refuge, but trusted in great wealth, relied on devious plots."

10

² But I, like an olive tree in the house of God, trust in God's faithful love forever.

11

I will praise you always for what you have done. I will proclaim before the faithful that your name is good.

Table of Contents Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Footnotes

¹ [Psalm 52] A condemnation of the powerful and arrogant (Psalm 52:3-6), who bring down upon themselves God's judgment (Psalm 52:7). The just, those who trust in God alone, are gladdened and strengthened by the downfall of their traditional enemies (Psalm 52:8-9).

² [10] Like an olive tree: the righteous will flourish in the house of God like a well-watered olive tree. Cf Psalm 92:14; 128:3.

New American Bible Copyright © 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

---

USCCB Home Page New American Bible Home Page




__________________________________

New American Bible
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20017-1194 (202) 541-3000