51
1 For the end, a Psalm of *instruction by David, 2 when Doec the Idumean came and told Saul, and said to him, David is gone to the house of Abimelech.
3 Why dost thou, O mighty man, boast of iniquity in thy mischief? All the day 4 thy tongue has devised unrighteousness; like a sharpened razor thou hast wrought deceit. 5 Thou hast loved wickedness more than goodness; unrighteousness better than to speak righteousness. Pause. 6 Thou hast loved all words of destruction, and a deceitful tongue.
7 Therefore may God destroy thee for ever, may he pluck thee up and utterly remove thee from thy dwelling, and thy root from the land of the living. Pause. 8 And the righteous shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say, 9 Behold the man who made not God his help; but trusted in the abundance of his wealth, and strengthened himself in his vanity.
10 But I am as a fruitful olive in the house of God: I have trusted in the mercy of God for ever, even for evermore. 11 I will give thanks to thee for ever, for thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
* 51:1 Gr. governing.