Psalms, 51

1. (To the choir-master. A maskil. Of David,

2. when Doeg, the Edomite, came and told Saul, David went into Abimelech’s house.)

3. Wilt thou still take pride, infamous tyrant, in thy power to harm?

4. Evermore thou settest thy heart on mischief; thy words are razor-edged, and thou a traitor.

5. Cruelty, never kindness, is thy study, treason, never honest speech;

6. well thy false lips love the word that brings men to ruin.

7. And will not God destroy thee utterly, root thee up, drive thee from thy home, till thy stock is known among living men no more?

8. Honest folk will watch, and wonder, and taunt him then;

9. So much for the man who would have none of God’s help, but relied on his store of riches, and found his strength in knavery?

10. And I? rooted like a fruitful olive-tree in the house of my God, I will trust for ever in his divine mercy;

11. I will give thee eternal thanks for all thou hast done, and boast, as men should ever boast, of thy name, the faithful for my company.