Song (Psalm) 52

Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.

Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.

Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.

The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

52:1 God’s judgement and mercy

Judgment on the Deceitful; God’s Judgment and Grace

For the musical director: a song[fn] by David written when Doeg the Edomite reported to King Shaul that, “David went there to Ahimilik.”

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Doeg the Edomite told Saul that Ahimelech had given refuge to David.; For the director of music. A maskil of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.”; To the leader. A Maskil of David, when Doeg the Edomite came to Saul and said to him, “David has come to the house of Ahimelech.”; For the leader: a maskil: for David (when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul that David had gone to Abimelech’s house)

52 Why are you proud of making trouble, you powerful man?

God’s loyal commitment comes every day.

2 Your tongue plans destruction—

working deceitfully like a sharp razor.

3 You love evil more than good

≈and lying rather than speaking ≈the truth. (Instrumental break.)

4 You love ≈saying anything that destroys other people, you deceitful tongue,

5 ≈so God will also destroy you forever.

He’ll snatch you up and pluck you out of your tent

≈and root you out of the land of the living. (Instrumental break.)

6 ≈Godly people will also see it and fear.

They’ll laugh at him and say,