Psalms
Chapter 52
This psalm speaks to a powerful man who brags about the harm he does and uses his words to hurt people. The writer says God will pull him down and take him away, and that good people will see it happen. The writer then contrasts himself: he grows strong in God's house and trusts God's faithful love instead of riches.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
1Why do you brag about the harm you do, you powerful man? God's faithful love lasts all day long.
2Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
2Your tongue plans ways to destroy people. It is like a sharpened razor, and you use it to trick and lie.
3Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
3You love evil more than good. You would rather tell lies than speak the truth. Selah.
"Selah" is a word left untranslated in the psalms. It seems to mark a pause or a musical break.
4Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
4You love every word that tears people apart, you lying tongue.
5God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
5So God will tear you down forever. He will snatch you up and pull you out of your home. He will pull you out of the land of the living, like a plant torn up by the roots. Selah.
"The land of the living" means the world of people who are still alive.
6The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
6Good people will see it and be filled with awe. They will laugh at him and say:
7Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
7"Look at the man who would not make God his safe place. He trusted his big pile of money and grew strong by hurting others."
8But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
8But I am like an olive tree growing green and healthy in God's house. I trust God's faithful love forever and ever.
9I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
9I will thank you forever, because you have done this. I will wait for you, for your name is good, and I will say so in front of your faithful people.
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