Psalm 52:2
New International Version
You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.

New Living Translation
All day long you plot destruction. Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you’re an expert at telling lies.

English Standard Version
Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.

Berean Standard Bible
Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.

King James Bible
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully.

New King James Version
Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

New American Standard Bible
Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit.

NASB 1995
Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit.

NASB 1977
Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit.

Legacy Standard Bible
Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit.

Amplified Bible
Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Christian Standard Bible
Like a sharpened razor, your tongue devises destruction, working treachery.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Like a sharpened razor, your tongue devises destruction, working treachery.

American Standard Version
Thy tongue deviseth very wickedness, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Contemporary English Version
You plan brutal crimes, and your lying words cut like a sharp razor.

English Revised Version
Thy tongue deviseth very wickedness; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Your tongue makes up threats. It's like a sharp razor, you master of deceit.

Good News Translation
You make plans to ruin others; your tongue is like a sharp razor. You are always inventing lies.

International Standard Version
Your tongue, like a sharp razor, devises wicked things and crafts treachery.

Majority Standard Bible
Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit.

NET Bible
Your tongue carries out your destructive plans; it is as effective as a sharp razor, O deceiver.

New Heart English Bible
Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

World English Bible
Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Your tongue devises mischiefs, "" Like a sharp razor, working deceit.

Young's Literal Translation
Mischiefs doth thy tongue devise, Like a sharp razor, working deceit.

Smith's Literal Translation
The original Julia E. Smith Bible records the following as a verse reference for Ps 52:4Thy tongue will purpose mischief as a razor being sharpened, working deceit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
All the day long thy tongue hath devised injustice: as a sharp razor, thou hast wrought deceit.

Catholic Public Domain Version
All day long your tongue thinks up injustice. Like a sharp razor, you have wrought deceit.

New American Bible
All day long you are thinking up intrigues; your tongue is like a sharpened razor, you worker of deceit.

New Revised Standard Version
you are plotting destruction. Your tongue is like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
It is like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Your tongue conceives evil and, like a sharpened razor, you have worked deceit.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thy tongue deviseth destruction; Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
thy tongue has devised unrighteousness; like a sharpened razor thou hast wrought deceit.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Why Do You Boast of Evil?
1For the choirmaster. A Maskil of David. After Doeg the Edomite went to Saul and told him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long. 2Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. 3You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah…

Cross References
James 3:6
The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Proverbs 12:18
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 18:21
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

James 3:8
but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Psalm 5:9
For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.

Romans 3:13
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”

Proverbs 10:31
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

Proverbs 15:4
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Matthew 12:34-37
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. / But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ...

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Psalm 57:4
My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts—with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

Psalm 64:3
who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,

Psalm 140:3
They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...

Jeremiah 9:3
“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

The tongue devises mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

Thy

Psalm 50:19
Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.

Psalm 64:2-6
Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity: …

Psalm 140:2,3
Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war…

like

Psalm 57:4
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Psalm 59:7
Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

Proverbs 12:18
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

working

Psalm 109:2
For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

Psalm 120:2
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

2 Corinthians 4:2
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

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Blade Deceit Deceitfully Destruction Devises Deviseth Mischiefs Mischievous Plots Plotting Practice Practising Purposing Razor Sharp Sharpened Tongue Treachery Using Wickedness Worker Working
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Psalm 52
1. David, condemning the spitefulness of Doeg, prophesies his destruction
6. The righteous shall rejoice at it
8. David, upon his confidence in God's mercy, gives thanks














Your tongue devises destruction
This phrase highlights the power of words and their potential to cause harm. In biblical context, the tongue is often seen as a symbol of one's speech and intentions. Proverbs 18:21 states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue," emphasizing the significant impact words can have. The imagery of devising destruction suggests intentionality and premeditation, indicating that the speaker's words are not accidental but purposefully harmful. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of the heart's condition being reflected in one's speech, as seen in Matthew 12:34, where Jesus says, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

like a sharpened razor
The comparison to a sharpened razor underscores the precision and potential danger of the tongue. A razor is a tool that can be used for constructive purposes, such as shaving, but when misused, it can cause deep and lasting harm. This metaphor suggests that the speaker's words are not only harmful but also skillfully crafted to inflict maximum damage. The imagery of a razor may also evoke the idea of betrayal or treachery, as seen in the story of Judas Iscariot, whose betrayal of Jesus was both calculated and devastating (Matthew 26:14-16).

O worker of deceit
This phrase identifies the speaker as someone who actively engages in deception. The term "worker" implies a habitual or professional practice, suggesting that deceit is a defining characteristic of this individual. In the biblical narrative, deceit is often associated with the devil, who is described as "a liar and the father of lies" in John 8:44. The psalmist's condemnation of deceitful speech aligns with the broader biblical call to truthfulness and integrity, as seen in Ephesians 4:25, which urges believers to "put away falsehood" and "speak the truth." The phrase also serves as a warning against the destructive power of deceit, both for the deceiver and those who are deceived.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 52, David wrote this psalm in response to the treachery of Doeg the Edomite, who betrayed him to King Saul.

2. Doeg the Edomite
A servant of King Saul who informed Saul of David's visit to Ahimelech the priest, leading to the massacre of the priests at Nob.

3. King Saul
The first king of Israel, who was in pursuit of David, seeing him as a threat to his throne.

4. Ahimelech the Priest
The priest who assisted David, unaware of the conflict between David and Saul, and was subsequently killed by Saul's order.

5. Nob
The city of priests where Ahimelech resided and where the massacre took place.
Teaching Points
The Power of Words
Our words have the power to build up or destroy. Like a sharpened razor, deceitful speech can cause deep harm. We must be mindful of our words and strive to speak truth and life.

Guarding Against Deceit
Deceit is a tool of destruction. As Christians, we are called to live in truth and integrity, avoiding deceit in all its forms.

Accountability for Speech
We are accountable to God for our words. It is crucial to reflect on the impact of our speech and seek forgiveness and transformation where needed.

The Consequences of Betrayal
The account of Doeg reminds us of the severe consequences of betrayal and the importance of loyalty and faithfulness in our relationships.

Seeking God's Justice
In the face of deceit and betrayal, we can trust in God's justice and righteousness, knowing that He sees and will act in His perfect timing.(2) Working deceitfully.--Better, working guile. (For the metaphor, see Psalm 55:21; Psalm 57:4, &c)

Verse 2. - Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; or, malignities - evils of the worst kind. It was Doeg's "tongue" that brought about the entire ghastly massacre (see 1 Samuel 22:9, 10). Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Doeg had "worked deceitfully," since he had not told Saul the circumstances that made Ahimelech's giving aid to David no disloyalty to the king (1 Samuel 21:2, 8). The suppressio veri is a suggestio falsi.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Your tongue
לְשׁוֹנֶ֑ךָ (lə·šō·w·ne·ḵā)
Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3956: The tongue

devises
תַּחְשֹׁ֣ב (taḥ·šōḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2803: To think, account

destruction
הַ֭וּוֹת (haw·wō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1942: Desire, chasm, destruction

like a sharpened
מְ֝לֻטָּ֗שׁ (mə·luṭ·ṭāš)
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3913: To hammer out, to sharpen

razor,
כְּתַ֥עַר (kə·ṯa·‘ar)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8593: A knife, razor, a scabbard

O worker
עֹשֵׂ֥ה (‘ō·śêh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

of deceit.
רְמִיָּֽה׃ (rə·mî·yāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7423: Remissness, treachery


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OT Poetry: Psalm 52:2 Your tongue plots destruction like a sharp (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 52:1
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