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52 To the Overseer. -- An instruction, by David, in the coming in of Doeg the Edomite, and he declareth to Saul, and saith to him, `David came in unto the house of Ahimelech.' What, boasteth thou in evil, O mighty one? The kindness of God [is] all the day.

Mischiefs doth thy tongue devise, Like a sharp razor, working deceit.

Thou hast loved evil rather than good, Lying, than speaking righteousness. Selah.

Thou hast loved all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

Also -- God doth break thee down for ever, Taketh thee, and pulleth thee out of the tent, And He hath uprooted thee Out of the land of the living. Selah.

And the righteous see, And fear, and laugh at him.

`Lo, the man who maketh not God his strong place, And trusteth in the abundance of his riches, He is strong in his mischiefs.'

And I, as a green olive in the house of God, I have trusted in the kindness of God, To the age and for ever,

I thank Thee to the age, because Thou hast done [it], And I wait [on] Thy name for [it is] good before Thy saints!

53 To the Overseer. -- `On a disease.' -- An instruction, by David. A fool said in his heart, `There is no God.' They have done corruptly, Yea, they have done abominable iniquity, There is none doing good.

God from the heavens looked on the sons of men, To see if there be an understanding one, [One] seeking God.

Every one went back, together they became filthy, There is none doing good -- not even one.

Have not workers of iniquity known, Those eating my people have eaten bread, God they have not called.

There they feared a fear -- there was no fear, For God hath scattered the bones of him Who is encamping against thee, Thou hast put to shame, For God hath despised them.

Who doth give from Zion the salvation of Israel? When God turneth back [to] a captivity of His people, Jacob doth rejoice -- Israel is glad!

54 To the Overseer with stringed instruments. -- An instruction, by David, in the coming in of the Ziphim, and they say to Saul, `Is not David hiding himself with us?' O God, by Thy name save me, and by Thy might judge me.

O God, hear my prayer, Give ear to the sayings of my mouth,

For strangers have risen up against me And terrible ones have sought my soul, They have not set God before them. Selah.

Lo, God [is] a helper to me, The Lord [is] with those supporting my soul,

Turn back doth the evil thing to mine enemies, In Thy truth cut them off.

With a free will-offering I sacrifice to Thee, I thank Thy name, O Jehovah, for [it is] good,

For, from all adversity He delivered me, And on mine enemies hath mine eye looked!

Psalm 52[a]

For the director of music. A maskil[b] of David. When Doeg the Edomite(A) had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.”

Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?
    Why do you boast(B) all day long,(C)
    you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
You who practice deceit,(D)
    your tongue plots destruction;(E)
    it is like a sharpened razor.(F)
You love evil(G) rather than good,
    falsehood(H) rather than speaking the truth.[c]
You love every harmful word,
    you deceitful tongue!(I)

Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
    He will snatch you up and pluck(J) you from your tent;
    he will uproot(K) you from the land of the living.(L)
The righteous will see and fear;
    they will laugh(M) at you, saying,
“Here now is the man
    who did not make God his stronghold(N)
but trusted in his great wealth(O)
    and grew strong by destroying others!”

But I am like an olive tree(P)
    flourishing in the house of God;
I trust(Q) in God’s unfailing love
    for ever and ever.
For what you have done I will always praise you(R)
    in the presence of your faithful people.(S)
And I will hope in your name,(T)
    for your name is good.(U)

Psalm 53[d](V)

For the director of music. According to mahalath.[e] A maskil[f] of David.

The fool(W) says in his heart,
    “There is no God.”(X)
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
    there is no one who does good.

God looks down from heaven(Y)
    on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,(Z)
    any who seek God.(AA)
Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
    there is no one who does good,
    not even one.(AB)

Do all these evildoers know nothing?

They devour my people as though eating bread;
    they never call on God.
But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
    where there was nothing to dread.(AC)
God scattered the bones(AD) of those who attacked you;(AE)
    you put them to shame,(AF) for God despised them.(AG)

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When God restores his people,
    let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 54[g]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil[h] of David. When the Ziphites(AH) had gone to Saul and said, “Is not David hiding among us?”

Save me(AI), O God, by your name;(AJ)
    vindicate me by your might.(AK)
Hear my prayer, O God;(AL)
    listen to the words of my mouth.

Arrogant foes are attacking me;(AM)
    ruthless people(AN) are trying to kill me(AO)
    people without regard for God.[i](AP)

Surely God is my help;(AQ)
    the Lord is the one who sustains me.(AR)

Let evil recoil(AS) on those who slander me;
    in your faithfulness(AT) destroy them.

I will sacrifice a freewill offering(AU) to you;
    I will praise(AV) your name, Lord, for it is good.(AW)
You have delivered me(AX) from all my troubles,
    and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.(AY)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 52:1 In Hebrew texts 52:1-9 is numbered 52:3-11.
  2. Psalm 52:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 52:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 5.
  4. Psalm 53:1 In Hebrew texts 53:1-6 is numbered 53:2-7.
  5. Psalm 53:1 Title: Probably a musical term
  6. Psalm 53:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  7. Psalm 54:1 In Hebrew texts 54:1-7 is numbered 54:3-9.
  8. Psalm 54:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  9. Psalm 54:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.