Psalms  ◦   Chapter 52

1How you boast, O mighty one,
of the evil you originated!
But God’s unfailing love is eternal.

2You plot ways to destroy;
your tongue is razor-sharp, cutting at the truth with your lies,
you father of lies.

3You love evil — inflicting pain and causing suffering — rather than doing good;
you misrepresent, deceive and distort rather than saying what is right.

4You love every word that injures or destroys,
you lying snake!

5It is certain that God will break your power and overthrow you forever:
He will pull you out and remove every trace of your selfish and deceitful ways
from human hearts and minds where you have dwelt;
you will be permanently exterminated — removed from the land of the living.

6Those restored to God’s design will see and be in awe of God;
they will see the evil one and laugh with relief, saying:

7"Here is the one
who rejected God and left the safety of God’s kingdom,
who trusted in the abundance of his own abilities
and grew in power by destroying others!"

8But I am like a flourishing olive tree
firmly rooted in the family of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.

9For all eternity I will thank you, God, for what you have done;
I will rely on your character of love,
for all holy beings now know that you are good.