Psalm 51

1For the end, a Psalm of 1instruction by David, 2when Doec the Idumean came and told Saul, and said to him, David is gone to the house of Abimelech.

3Why dost thou, O mighty man, boast of iniquity in thy mischief? All the day 4thy tongue has devised unrighteousness; like a sharpened razor thou hast wrought deceit. 5Thou hast loved wickedness more than goodness; unrighteousness better than to speak righteousness. Pause. 6Thou hast loved all words of destruction, and a deceitful tongue.

7Therefore 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. 8And the righteous shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say, 9Behold the man who made not God his help; but trusted in the abundance of his wealth, and strengthened himself in his vanity.

10But I am as a fruitful olive in the house of God: I have trusted in the mercy of God for ever, even for evermore. 11I will give thanks to thee for ever, for thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.