The Meaning of Psalms 52:7 Explained

Psalms 52:7

KJV: Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

YLT: 'Lo, the man who maketh not God his strong place, And trusteth in the abundance of his riches, He is strong in his mischiefs.'

Darby: Behold the man that made not God his strength, but put confidence in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his avarice.

ASV: Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, But trusted in the abundance of his riches, And strengthened himself in his wickedness.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Lo, [this is] the man  [that] made  not God  his strength;  but trusted  in the abundance  of his riches,  [and] strengthened  himself in his wickedness. 

What does Psalms 52:7 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 52:7 mean?

Here is the man not [who] did make God his strength but trusted in the abundance of his riches [And] strengthened himself in his wickedness
הִנֵּ֤ה הַגֶּ֗בֶר לֹ֤א יָשִׂ֥ים אֱלֹהִ֗ים מָֽע֫וּזּ֥וֹ וַ֭יִּבְטַח בְּרֹ֣ב עָשְׁר֑וֹ יָ֝עֹ֗ז בְּהַוָּתֽוֹ

הִנֵּ֤ה  Here  is 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
הַגֶּ֗בֶר  the  man 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֶּבֶר  
Sense: man, strong man, warrior (emphasising strength or ability to fight).
יָשִׂ֥ים  [who]  did  make 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: שׂוּמָה 
Sense: to put, place, set, appoint, make.
אֱלֹהִ֗ים  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
מָֽע֫וּזּ֥וֹ  his  strength 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מָעֹוז 
Sense: place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold.
וַ֭יִּבְטַח  but  trusted 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בָּטוּחַ 
Sense: to trust.
בְּרֹ֣ב  in  the  abundance 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: רֹב  
Sense: multitude, abundance, greatness.
עָשְׁר֑וֹ  of  his  riches 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: עֹשֶׁר  
Sense: wealth, riches.
יָ֝עֹ֗ז  [And]  strengthened  himself 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: עָזַז  
Sense: to be strong.
בְּהַוָּתֽוֹ  in  his  wickedness 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: הַוָּה 
Sense: desire.