Psalm 52 confronts a powerful man who boasts of evil: “Why dost thou glory in malice, thou that art mighty in iniquity?” Its title links it to Doeg the Edomite, who betrayed David to Saul. Against the tongue that “devised injustice,” the psalmist stands firm: “But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever.” In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 51. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 52 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end, understanding for David,
When Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul David went to the house of Achimelech.
Why dost thou glory in malice, thou that art mighty in iniquity?
All the day long thy tongue hath devised injustice: as a sharp razor, thou hast wrought deceit.
Thou hast loved malice more than goodness: and iniquity rather than to speak righteousness.
Thou hast loved all the words of ruin, O deceitful tongue.
Therefore will God destroy thee for ever: he will pluck thee out, and remove thee from thy dwelling place: and thy root out of the land of the living.
The just shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say:
Behold the man that made not God his helper: But trusted in the abundance of his riches: and prevailed in his vanity.
But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever, yea for ever and ever.
I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name, for it is good in the sight of thy saints.
Psalm 52 or Psalm 51?
The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 51 is Psalm 52 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Quid gloriaris in malitia. See how many psalms are there?
What the psalm means
- Boasting in evil: power used for harm is a cause for shame, not pride.
- The deceitful tongue: “thy tongue… as a sharp razor, thou hast wrought deceit.”
- Trust in riches: the wicked trust in their wealth and are uprooted.
- The olive tree: the just, rooted in God’s house, stay green and fruitful.
- Hope in God’s mercy for ever.
How the Church uses Psalm 52
- In the Liturgy of the Hours.
- When harmed by gossip or lies, as a prayer of trust.
A prayer with Psalm 52
Written for this page:
Lord, keep me from boasting in evil and from a deceitful tongue.
Uproot whatever in me trusts in wealth or power.
Plant me like a green olive tree in your house,
trusting in your mercy for ever. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
What is Psalm 52 about?
A rebuke of a powerful man who uses lies and wealth for evil, contrasted with the just who flourish by trusting God.
Who was Doeg the Edomite?
A servant of Saul who betrayed David and killed the priests of Nob (1 Kings 21–22; 1 Samuel 21–22).
More psalms and prayers
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 51 (52), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.