Judgement on the Deceitful

To the leader. A Maskil of David, when Doeg the Edomite came to Saul and said to him, ‘David has come to the house of Ahimelech.’

1Why do you boast, O mighty one,

of mischief done against the godly?52.1 Cn Compare Syr: Heb the kindness of God

All day long 2you are plotting destruction.

Your tongue is like a sharp razor,

you worker of treachery.

3You love evil more than good,

and lying more than speaking the truth. Selah

4You love all words that devour,

O deceitful tongue.

5But God will break you down for ever;

he will snatch and tear you from your tent;

he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah

6The righteous will see, and fear,

and will laugh at the evildoer,52.6 Heb him saying,

7‘See the one who would not take

refuge in God,

but trusted in abundant riches,

and sought refuge in wealth!’52.7 Syr Tg: Heb in his destruction

8But I am like a green olive tree

in the house of God.

I trust in the steadfast love of God

for ever and ever.

9I will thank you for ever,

because of what you have done.

In the presence of the faithful

I will proclaim52.9 Cn: Heb wait for your name, for it is good.