Psalm 52 Living Bible (TLB)

52 Written by David to protest against his enemy Doeg (1 Samuel 22), who later slaughtered eighty-five priests and their families.

You call yourself a hero, do you? You boast about this evil deed of yours against God’s people. ² You are sharp as a tack in plotting your evil tricks. ³ How you love wickedness—far more than good! And lying more than truth! ⁴ You love to slander—you love to say anything that will do harm, O man with the lying tongue.

⁵ But God will strike you down, pull you from your home, and drag you away from the land of the living. ⁶ The followers of God will see it happen. They will watch in awe. Then they will laugh and say, ⁷ “See what happens to those who despise God and trust in their wealth, and become ever more bold in their wickedness.”^[a]

⁸ But I am like a sheltered olive tree protected by the Lord himself. I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. ⁹ O Lord, I will praise you forever and ever for your punishment.^[b] And I will wait for your mercies—for everyone knows what a merciful God you are.

Prayer for yourselves and those on your prayer list

• Our Father and our God, we come to you for mercy and protection
• You see the prevalence of evil and lies in our world today
• You see how men eager for wealth have become bold in their wickedness
• Through your perfect justice you will end all evil
• We pray that you will strengthen our faith in your righteousness.
• We know that you will protect us.
• Help us to trust in your justice and your timing
• Grant us patience and strengthen our blessed hope as we await your mercies knowing that we will witness the fall of evil men.
• We praise and bless your Holy Name now and forever more

Amen