1To the choirmaster. A Maskil[1] of David, when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day. (1Sa 22:9)2Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. (Ps 50:19; Ps 57:4; Ps 101:7)3You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. (Jer 9:4)4You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.5But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. (Ps 27:13; Pr 2:22)6The righteous shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying, (Ps 2:4; Ps 40:3)7“See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction!”[2] (Ps 49:6)8But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. (Ps 1:3; Ps 37:35; Ps 92:12; Ps 128:3; Ps 144:12; Jer 11:16; Ho 14:6)9I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly. (Ps 50:5; Ps 54:6)
For the director of music. A maskil of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: ‘David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.’
1Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?[1]2You who practise deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.3You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth.[2]4You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!5Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: he will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living.6The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at you, saying,7‘Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!’8But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.9For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.
For the director of music. A maskil of David when Doeg, who was from Edom, had gone to Saul. Doeg had told Saul, ‘David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.’
1You think you are such a big, strong man! Why do you boast about the evil things you’ve done? You are a dishonour to God all the time.2You plan ways to destroy others. Your tongue is like a blade that has a sharp edge. You are always telling lies.3You love evil instead of good. You would rather lie than tell the truth.4You love to harm others with your words, you liar!5So God will destroy you for ever. He will grab you and pluck you from your tent. He will remove you from this life.6Those who do what is right will see it and learn a lesson from it. They will laugh at you and say,7‘Just look at this fellow! He didn’t depend on God for his safety. He put his trust in all his wealth. He grew strong by destroying others!’8But I am like a healthy olive tree. My roots are deep in the house of God. I trust in your faithful love for ever and ever.9I will praise you for ever for what you have done. I will praise you when I’m with your faithful people. I will put my hope in you because you are good.