Psalms

Chapter 51

  1. 1

    (To the choir-master. A maskil. Of David,

  2. 2

    when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, David went into Abimelech’s house.)

  3. 3

    Wilt thou still take pride, infamous tyrant, in thy power to harm?

  4. 4

    Evermore thou settest thy heart on mischief; thy words are razor-edged, and thou a traitor.

  5. 5

    Cruelty, never kindness, is thy study, treason, never honest speech;

  6. 6

    well thy false lips love the word that brings men to ruin.

  7. 7

    And will not God destroy thee utterly, root thee up, drive thee from thy home, till thy stock is known among living men no more?

  8. 8

    Honest folk will watch, and wonder, and taunt him then;

  9. 9

    So much for the man who would have none of God’s help, but relied on his store of riches, and found his strength in knavery?

  10. 10

    And I? rooted like a fruitful olive-tree in the house of my God, I will trust for ever in his divine mercy;

  11. 11

    I will give thee eternal thanks for all thou hast done, and boast, as men should ever boast, of thy name, the faithful for my company.