The Meaning of Psalms 52:2 Explained

Psalms 52:2

KJV: Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully.

YLT: Mischiefs doth thy tongue devise, Like a sharp razor, working deceit.

Darby: Thy tongue deviseth mischievous things, like a sharp razor, practising deceit.

ASV: Thy tongue deviseth very wickedness, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thy tongue  deviseth  mischiefs;  like a sharp  razor,  working  deceitfully. 

What does Psalms 52:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 52:1-9 - The Boaster And The Truster
The inscription of this psalm describes its origin. The contrast which it presents is full of instruction. The ungodly is often a mighty man in the estimation of the world. He boasts mischief; his tongue resembles the razor, which inflicts sharp and deep wounds; his words devour reputations, family-peace, and souls.
What a contrast is presented by the humble believer who trusts, not in wealth which vanishes, but in God's mercy which abides forever! Psalms 52:1-8. As the olives grew around the humble forest sanctuary at Nob, where the tragedy which called forth this psalm took place, and were hallowed by the shrine they encompassed, so the believer grows and is safe in loving fellowship with his Almighty Friend. Let us be among God's evergreens, drawing our nutriment from Him, as the roots struck into the rich mold. The psalmist is so certain of vindication and so assured of the overthrow of wickedness that he celebrates God's interposition before it takes place, and accounts it as being already accomplished. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 52

1  David, condemning the spitefulness of Doeg, prophesies his destruction
6  The righteous shall rejoice at it
8  David, upon his confidence in God's mercy, gives thanks

What do the individual words in Psalms 52:2 mean?

Destruction devises Your tongue Like a razor sharp working deceitfully
הַ֭וּוֹת תַּחְשֹׁ֣ב לְשׁוֹנֶ֑ךָ כְּתַ֥עַר מְ֝לֻטָּ֗שׁ עֹשֵׂ֥ה רְמִיָּֽה

הַ֭וּוֹת  Destruction 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: הַוָּה 
Sense: desire.
תַּחְשֹׁ֣ב  devises 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: חָשַׁב 
Sense: to think, plan, esteem, calculate, invent, make a judgment, imagine, count.
לְשׁוֹנֶ֑ךָ  Your  tongue 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: לָשֹׁון  
Sense: tongue.
כְּתַ֥עַר  Like  a  razor 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, masculine singular
Root: תַּעַר  
Sense: razor, sheath (making naked).
מְ֝לֻטָּ֗שׁ  sharp 
Parse: Verb, Pual, Participle, masculine singular
Root: לָטַשׁ  
Sense: to sharpen, hammer, whet.
עֹשֵׂ֥ה  working 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular construct
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
רְמִיָּֽה  deceitfully 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: רְמִיָּה 
Sense: laxness, slackness, slackening, deceit, treachery.