Psalms 52:1

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

For the director of music, a contemplative psalm of David.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ מַשְׂכִּ֥יל לְדָוִֽד׃

Transliteration

To the měnaṣṣēaḥ, a maśkîl of Dāwid.

Grammar Details

• *lǎ-*: preposition 'to/for' with definite article
• *měnaṣṣēaḥ*: participle, masculine singular, Piel form - director/choirmaster/chief musician
• *maśkîl*: noun, masculine singular - skillful composition/contemplative poem/instruction
• *lě-*: preposition 'to/for/of'
• *Dāwid*: proper noun - David

Word Meanings

• *měnaṣṣēaḥ*: choirmaster/chief musician/conductor/victor
• *maśkîl*: contemplative poem/skillful composition/instruction/didactic psalm

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  To the chief Musician, Maschil, A alm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  Why do you boast in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  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. Why boastest{H1984} thou thyself in mischief,{H7451} O mighty{H1368} man? The lovingkindness{H2617} of God{H410} [endureth] continually.{H3117}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  To the chief Musician{H5329}{H8764)}, Maschil{H4905}{H8688)}, A Psalm of David{H1732}, when Doeg{H1673} the Edomite{H130} came{H935}{H8800)} and told{H5046}{H8686)} Saul{H7586}, and said{H559}{H8799)} unto him, David{H1732} is come{H935}{H8804)} to the house{H1004} of Ahimelech{H288}. Why boastest{H1984}{H8691)} thou thyself in mischief{H7451}, O mighty{H1368} man? the goodness{H2617} of God{H410} endureth continually{H3117}.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Why boastest thou thy self (thou Tyraunt) that thou canst do myschefe?

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  To him that excelleth. A Psalme of Dauid to giue instruction. When Doeg the Edomite came and shewed Saul, and saide to him, Dauid is come to the house of Abimelech. Why boastest thou thy selfe in thy wickednesse, O man of power? the louing kindenesse of God indureth dayly.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  To the chiefe musition, a wyse instruction of Dauid, when Doeg the Edomite came to Saul and tolde him, saying: Dauid is come to the house of Achimelek. Why boastest thy self thou tiraunt of mischiefe? the goodnes of God dayly endureth.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ To the chief Musician, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God [endureth] continually.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  > Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God's loving kindness endures continually.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  To the Overseer. -- An instruction, by David, in the coming in of Doeg the Edomite, and he declareth to Saul, and saith to him, `David came in unto the house of Ahimelech.' What, boasteth thou in evil, O mighty one? The kindness of God `is' all the day.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The lovingkindness of God `endureth' continually.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  [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]. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The lovingkindness of God [endureth] continually.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  <To the chief music-maker. Maschil. Of David. When Doeg the Edomite came to Saul saying, David has come to the house of Ahimelech.> Why do you take pride in wrongdoing, lifting yourself up against the upright man all the day?

• World English Bible (2000)

  Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God's loving kindness endures continually.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  For the music director; a well-written song by David. It was written when Doeg the Edomite went and informed Saul:“David has arrived at the home of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast about your evil plans, O powerful man? God’s loyal love protects me all day long!

Referenced Verses

• Ps 94:4 : 4 They pour out arrogant words; all the evildoers boast.
• 1 Sam 21:7 : 7 So the priest gave him the holy bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the Lord and replaced by hot bread on the day it was taken away.
• Ps 103:17 : 17 But from everlasting to everlasting, the Lord's steadfast love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness is with their children's children.
• Ps 107:1 : 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, and His steadfast love endures forever.
• Ps 137:1-2 : 1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion. 2 Upon the willows in its midst, we hung our harps.
• Prov 6:14 : 14 He plots evil with deceit in his heart; he constantly stirs up dissension.
• Prov 6:18 : 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,
• Isa 59:4 : 4 No one calls for justice, and no one pleads with integrity. They rely on empty words and speak lies; they conceive trouble and give birth to iniquity.
• 1 Sam 22:9-9 : 9 Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul's servants, answered, 'I saw the son of Jesse come to Nob, to Ahimelech son of Ahitub.' 10 Ahimelech inquired of the Lord for him, gave him provisions, and also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine. 11 The king sent for Ahimelech the priest, son of Ahitub, and his entire family, who were the priests at Nob, and they all came to the king. 12 Saul said, 'Listen now, son of Ahitub!' And he replied, 'Here I am, my lord.' 13 Saul said to him, 'Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, giving him bread and a sword and inquiring of God for him, so that he has risen against me to lie in wait, as he does today?' 14 Ahimelech answered the king, 'Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king's son-in-law, captain of your bodyguard, and highly respected in your house?' 15 Was this the first time I inquired of God for him? Of course not! Far be it from me! Let not the king accuse me or any of my father's family, for your servant knows nothing about this whole affair—whether great or small.' 16 The king said, 'You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and your whole family.' 17 Then the king ordered the guards standing by him, 'Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because they are allies of David. They knew he was fleeing but didn’t inform me.' But the king's servants were unwilling to raise their hands to strike the priests of the Lord. 18 The king then commanded Doeg, 'Turn and strike down the priests!' So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. 19 He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, killing its men and women, children and infants, and also its oxen, donkeys, and sheep.
• Ps 7:14 : 14 He has prepared His deadly weapons; He makes His arrows fiery shafts.
• Ps 10:2-3 : 2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the afflicted; let them be caught in the schemes they have devised. 3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his heart, and the greedy man curses and spurns the Lord.
• Gen 6:4-5 : 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humanity and had children by them. They were the mighty men of old, men of renown. 5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of humanity had become on the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of their heart was only evil continually.
• Gen 10:8-9 : 8 Cush fathered Nimrod, who began to be a mighty man on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD. Therefore, it is said, "Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD."
• Exod 22:9 : 9 If a man gives his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other animal to take care of, and it dies, is injured, or is driven away while no one is watching,
• Ps 36:3-6 : 3 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, thinking his iniquity will not be discovered or hated. 4 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; he has stopped being wise and doing good. 5 He plans wickedness on his bed; he positions himself on a way that is not good; he does not despise evil. 6 Lord, your steadfast love reaches to the heavens; your faithfulness to the clouds.
• Ps 54:3 : 3 God, save me by Your name, and vindicate me by Your power.
• Ps 59:7 : 7 They return in the evening, snarling like dogs as they prowl the city.
• Ps 10:7 : 7 His mouth is full of curses and deceit and oppression; under his tongue are trouble and iniquity.
• Jer 9:8 : 8 Should I not punish them for these things? declares the Lord. Should I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?
• Mic 7:3 : 3 Their hands are skilled at doing evil: the ruler demands gifts, the judge accepts bribes, and the powerful speak out their selfish desires. Together they weave a web of corrupt schemes.
• Rom 1:30 : 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;
• 2 Tim 3:2 : 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, and unholy.
• 1 John 4:7-8 : 7 Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.