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The Psalms

Psalms 52

Psalms, Book II · KJV

Each highlighted word includes its Hebrew or Aramaic term, transliteration, definition, and meaning in the verse. Hover to explore; click or tap to lock.

1Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

2Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

3Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.

4Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful 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.

6The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

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.

8But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever 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.

Psalms 52:1–9

Word detail

mischief

Evil, harm, adversity, or calamity.

In “Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man”, “mischief” expresses evil, harm, adversity, or calamity. The surrounding poetic lines identify the speaker, addressee, and intended comparison. A figurative sense in one psalm should not be imposed on every occurrence elsewhere.