Psalms 52
What Happens in This Chapter
In this psalm, David speaks to a powerful man who brags about the harm he does with his words. David says God will pull that man down and take everything away from him. Good people will see it happen. David ends by saying he is like a healthy olive tree in God's house, because he trusts God's steady love.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
1Why do you brag about the harm you do, strong man? God's love does not stop. It lasts all day long.
The old word here is "mischief." In 1611 that meant real harm done to people, not small trouble or teasing.
2Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
2Your words make plans to hurt people. They cut like a sharp razor. You are full of lies.
3Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
3You love what is wrong more than what is good. You would rather lie than tell the truth. Selah.
"Selah" is a word left in from the old Hebrew songbook. Nobody today knows for sure what it meant. It may have been a music sign, like a pause.
4Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
4You love every word that tears people down, you liar.
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.
5God will pull you down for good. He will snatch you up and drag you out of your tent. He will pull you out of the land of the living, roots and all.
6The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
6Good people will see it happen. They will be filled with awe. Then they will laugh at that man 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 did not make God his safe place. He trusted his big pile of money instead. He made himself 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 strong in God's house. I trust God's steady 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 it. I will wait for you, because your name is good. I will say this in front of your holy people.
← → to turn the page · P for plain English · click a verse to sit with it