<<  PSALM LII.  >>

For the Chief Musician. Maschil of David;
when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul,
and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.

1. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?
The lovingkindness of God endureth continually.
2. Thy tongue deviseth very wickedness,
Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3. Thou lovest evil more than good,
And lying rather than to speak righteousness. [Selah
4. Thou Invest all devouring words,
thou deceitful tongue.
5. God will likewise destroy thee for ever;
He will take thee up, and pluck thee out of thy tent,
And root thee out of the land of the living. [Selah
6. The righteous also shall see it, and fear,
And shall laugh at him, saying,
7. Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches.
And strengthened himself in his wickedness.
8. But as for me, I am like a green olive-tree in the house
of God:
I trust in the lovingkindness of God for ever and ever.
9. I will give thee thanks for ever, because thou hast done
And I will hope in thy name, for it is good, in the presence
of thy saints.

 

1. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man?
The lovingkindness of God endureth continually.
2. Thy tongue deviseth very wickedness,
Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3. Thou lovest evil more than good,
And lying rather than to speak righteousness. [Selah
4. Thou Invest all devouring words,
thou deceitful tongue.

1-8. Respecting hypocrites: they will be in hell and will perish. P. P.

4. See Psalm v. 7. A. 9013.

4, 6. See Psalm v. 7. R. 624.
See Psalm xxxvi. 4. E. 866.

5. God will likewise destroy thee for ever;
He will take thee up, and pluck thee out of thy tent,
And root thee out of the land of the living. [Selah]
6. The righteous also shall see it, and fear,
And shall laugh at him, saying,
7. Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength,
But trusted in the abundance of his riches.
And strengthened himself in his wickedness.

7. Heaven because it lives from the Lord is called the land of the living. A. 290.

See Psalm xv. 1, 2. R. 585.

Speaking of Doeg the Edomite, that he should be expelled from all the good of the church and also from all the truths thereof is signified by being plucked out of the tabernacle, and rooted out of the land of the living, the tabernacle standing for good, the land, the church, and the living those who are in truths from good. E. 799.

9. So likewise those who trust in their own intelligence. P. P.

8. But as for me, I am like a green olive-tree in the house
of God:
I trust in the lovingkindness of God for ever and ever.

10. That by green or growing green is signified living or alive is manifest. R. 401.

An olive signifies love and charity, because the olive tree signifies the celestial church. R. 493.

An olive tree signifies the man of the celestial church. T. 468.

See Psalm xxxvii. 35. E. 507.

It is said, "as a green olive tree in the house of God," because by the green olive tree is signified the good of love springing up by means of the truths of the Word, and by the house of God is signified the church. E. 638.

9. I will give thee thanks for ever, because thou hast done
And I will hope in thy name, for it is good, in the presence
of thy saints.

10, 11. Those who trust in the Lord will flourish. P. P.

Author: EMANUEL SWEDENBORG (1688-1772)