Psalms 52:2

2 You scheme catastrophe; your tongue cuts razor-sharp, artisan in lies.

Psalms 52:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 52:2

Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs
Abundance of mischiefs, in a variety of ways, against many persons, even all good men. What properly belongs to the heart is here ascribed to the tongue; because, as Aben Ezra observes, it is the interpreter and discoverer of the thoughts of the heart: out of the abundance of that the tongue speaks and declares the mischief it has devised. Doeg intended mischief to David, when he spoke to Saul, ( 1 Samuel 22:9 1 Samuel 22:10 ) ; so antichrist devises mischiefs against the saints of the most High, to wear them out, and thinks to change times and laws, ( Daniel 7:25 ) ;

like a sharp razor, working deceitfully;
that is, his tongue was like a razor; the razor is but a small instrument, and the tongue is but a little member: the razor is a sharp and cutting one, and so is the tongue; and therefore compared to a sharp sword, ( Psalms 57:4 ) ; see ( Jeremiah 18:18 ) ; the razor takes off the beard cleanly and wholly; Doeg's tongue was the cause of the utter ruin of Ahimelech's family and the city of Nob; and as a razor may be said to "work deceitfully", when it turns aside in the hand of him that useth it, and with the hair takes off more than it should, even skin and flesh, or cuts the man's throat; so in a deceitful and insidious manner did Doeg work the destruction of Ahimelech and the priests of the Lord.

Psalms 52:2 In-Context

1 Why do you brag of evil, "Big Man"? God's mercy carries the day.
2 You scheme catastrophe; your tongue cuts razor-sharp, artisan in lies.
3 You love evil more than good, you call black white.
4 You love malicious gossip, you foul-mouth.
5 God will tear you limb from limb, sweep you up and throw you out, Pull you up by the roots from the land of life.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.