Psalm 52: Like a Green Olive Tree in God's House
A rebuke of a deceitful tongue contrasted with quiet trust in God's mercy.
Psalm 52 confronts a 'mighty man' who boasts in mischief and loves lying words more than righteousness, a sharp contrast to David's own confession in Psalms 51. The tongue is compared to 'a sharp razor, working deceitfully.'
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The lovingkindness of God `endureth' continually.
Thy tongue deviseth very wickedness, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Thou lovest evil more than good, And lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah
Thou lovest all devouring words, thou deceitful tongue.
God will likewise destroy 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
The righteous also shall see `it', and fear, And shall laugh at him, `saying',
Lo, this is the man that made not 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 the house of God: I trust in the lovingkindness of God for ever and ever.
I will give thee thanks for ever, because thou hast done it; And I will hope in thy name, for it is good, in the presence of thy saints. Psalm 53 For the Chief Musician; set to Mahalath. Maschil of David.