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Psalms Chapter 52 (JPS)

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Psalm 52: Like a Green Olive Tree in God's House
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1 For the Leader. Maschil of David;

2 when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him: 'David is come to the house of Ahimelech.'

3 Why boastest thou thyself of evil, O mighty man? The mercy of G-d endureth continually.

4 Thy tongue deviseth destruction; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

5 Thou lovest evil more than good; falsehood rather than speaking righteousness. Selah

6 Thou lovest all devouring words, the deceitful tongue.

7 G-d will likewise break thee for ever, He will take thee up, and pluck thee out of thy tent, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah

8 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

9 'Lo, this is the man that made not G-d his stronghold; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.'

10 But as for me, I am like a leafy olive-tree in the house of G-d; I trust in the mercy of G-d for ever and ever.

11 I will give Thee thanks for ever, because Thou hast done it; and I will wait for Thy name, for it is good, in the presence of Thy saints.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Psalm 52 confront?
Psalm 52 confronts a boastful, deceitful person who loves 'evil more than good' (v.3), warning that God will 'destroy thee for ever' and 'root thee out of the land of the living' (v.5), while the righteous look on and trust God's mercy.
How does the psalmist describe himself in contrast to the boastful man?
Verse 8 says 'I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever,' an image of flourishing similar to the righteous compared to trees in Psalms 92:12-14.
How do the righteous respond to the wicked man's downfall?
Verse 6 says 'The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him,' reacting with a mix of awe at God's judgment and derision toward the wicked.

Today's Verse

And he said, Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him. For now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from me.

Genesis 22:12 | ASV

Verse Of The Day

God is said to root the deceiver out of the land of the living, while the psalmist declares himself 'like a green olive tree in the house of God,' a fruitful image paralleled at Psalms 92:12-14. The psalm closes waiting on God's name before the bleak assessment of Psalms 53.