Psalm 52:2

2 thy tongue has devised unrighteousness; like a sharpened razor thou hast wrought deceit.

Psalm 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.

Psalm 52:2 In-Context

1 Why dost thou, O mighty man, boast of iniquity in thy mischief? All the day

2 thy tongue has devised unrighteousness; like a sharpened razor thou hast wrought deceit.

3 Thou hast loved wickedness more than goodness; unrighteousness better than to speak righteousness. Pause.

4 Thou has loved all words of destruction, and a deceitful tongue.

5 Therefore may God destroy thee for ever, may he pluck thee up and utterly remove thee from thy dwelling, and thy root from the land of the living. Pause.

6 And the righteous shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say,

7 Behold the man who made not God his help; but trusted in the abundance of his wealth, and strengthened himself in his vanity.

8 But I am as a fruitful olive in the house of God: I have trusted in the mercy of God for ever, even for evermore.

9 I will give thanks to thee for ever, for thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before the saints.