Psalm 52 J.H.
Words: Sternhold and Hopkins, The Whole Book of Psalms Collected into English Metre
1 Why dost thou, tyrant, boast abroad
thy wicked works to praise!
Dost thou not know there is a God,
whose mercies last always?
2 Why doth thy mind yet still devise
such wicked wiles to harp?
Thy tongue untrue in forging lies
is like a razor sharp.
3 On mischief why sett'st thou thy mind,
and wilt not walk upright?
Thou lovest more false tales to find,
than bring the truth to light.
4 Thou dost delight in fraud and guile,
In mischief, blood and wrong.
Thy lips have learnt the flatt'ring style,
O false deceitful tongue!
5 Therefore the Lord shall thee confound,
and pluck thee from thy place,
Thy seed root out from off the ground,
and utterly deface.
6 The just, when they behold thy fall,
with fear will praise the Lord,
And in reproach of thee withal
cry but with one accord;
7 Behold the man that did refuse
the Lord for his defense,
But in his riches great did place
his trust and confidence.
8 But I, as olive fresh and green,
shall spring and spread abroad;
Because my trust all times hath been
upon the living God.
9 For this therefore will I give praise
to thee with heart and voice,
I will advance thy Name always,
wherein thy saints rejoice.
