The Meaning of Psalms 52:8 Explained

Psalms 52:8

KJV: But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

YLT: And I, as a green olive in the house of God, I have trusted in the kindness of God, To the age and for ever,

Darby: But as for me, I am like a green olive-tree in the house of God: I will confide in the loving-kindness of God for ever and ever.

ASV: But as for me, I am like a green olive-tree in the house of God: I trust in the lovingkindness of God for ever and ever.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But I [am] like a green  olive tree  in the house  of God:  I trust  in the mercy  of God  for ever  and ever. 

What does Psalms 52:8 Mean?

Verse Meaning

David repudiated the confidence of the wicked and reaffirmed his trust in the Lord. He pictured himself as a flourishing olive tree, in contrast to his uprooted enemy ( Psalm 52:5; cf. Psalm 1:3; Hosea 14:6). Olive trees live unusually long, and they are productive and attractive. They were and are very numerous in Israel. The tree David saw was in the tabernacle courtyard, symbolic of his nearness to God.

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 52:8 mean?

But I [am] like a olive tree green in the house of God I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever
וַאֲנִ֤י ׀ כְּזַ֣יִת רַ֭עֲנָן בְּבֵ֣ית אֱלֹהִ֑ים בָּטַ֥חְתִּי בְחֶֽסֶד־ אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים עוֹלָ֥ם וָעֶֽד

וַאֲנִ֤י ׀  But  I  [am] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Pronoun, first person common singular
Root: אֲנִי  
Sense: I (first pers.
כְּזַ֣יִת  like  a  olive  tree 
Parse: Preposition-k, Noun, masculine singular
Root: זַיִת  
Sense: olive, olive tree.
רַ֭עֲנָן  green 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רָעַן 
Sense: (Palel) to be or grow luxuriant or fresh or green adj.
בְּבֵ֣ית  in  the  house 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
אֱלֹהִ֑ים  of  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
בָּטַ֥חְתִּי  I  trust 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: בָּטוּחַ 
Sense: to trust.
בְחֶֽסֶד־  in  the  mercy 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: חֶסֶד 
Sense: goodness, kindness, faithfulness.
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים  of  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
עוֹלָ֥ם  forever 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עֹולָם  
Sense: long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world.
וָעֶֽד  and  ever 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַד  
Sense: perpetuity, for ever, continuing future.