The Meaning of Psalms 52:4 Explained

Psalms 52:4

KJV: Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

YLT: Thou hast loved all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.

Darby: Thou hast loved all devouring words, O deceitful tongue!

ASV: Thou lovest all devouring words, thou deceitful tongue.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou lovest  all devouring  words,  O [thou] deceitful  tongue. 

What does Psalms 52:4 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 52:4 mean?

You love all words devouring [You] tongue deceitful
אָהַ֥בְתָּ כָֽל־ דִּבְרֵי־ בָ֗לַע לְשׁ֣וֹן מִרְמָֽה

אָהַ֥בְתָּ  You  love 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: אָהַב  
Sense: to love.
דִּבְרֵי־  words 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: דָּבָר  
Sense: speech, word, speaking, thing.
בָ֗לַע  devouring 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בֶּלַע 
Sense: a swallowing, devouring (fig.
לְשׁ֣וֹן  [You]  tongue 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: לָשֹׁון  
Sense: tongue.
מִרְמָֽה  deceitful 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִרְמָה  
Sense: deceit, treachery.

What are the major concepts related to Psalms 52:4?

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