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For the Chief Musician. A maskil ·instructional wisdom psalm· by David [Beloved], when Doeg [Anxious, Careful] the Edomite [Red] came and told Saul [Asked for], “David [Beloved] has come to Abimelech [My father king]’s house.”
Context: David [Beloved] is hiding from King Saul [Asked for]. Saul [Asked for] tried to rally his own clan of Benjamin [Son of right hand, Son of south] to his side. An Edomite [Red], from Israel’s cousin nation from Ishmael, is willing to do King Saul [Asked for]’s dirty work against the Levites [Descendants of United with]. (1 Sam 22:1-19)
1 Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man?
God’s cheshed ·loving-kindness· endures continually.
2 Your tongue plots destruction,
like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3 You 'ahavta ·affectionately love· evil more than good,
lying rather than speaking the truth.
Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
4 You 'ahavta ·affectionately love· all devouring words,
you deceitful tongue.
5 God will likewise destroy you forever.
He will take you up, and pluck you out of your tent,
and root you out of the land of the living.
Selah ·contemplation with musical interlude·.
6 The upright also will see it, and fear,
and laugh at him, saying,
7 “Behold, this is the man who didn’t make God his strength,
but trusted in the abundance of his riches,
and strengthened himself in his wickedness.”
8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in God’s house.
I trust in God’s cheshed ·loving-kindness· forever and ever.
9 I will yadah ·extend hands in thankful praise· to you forever, because you have done it.
I will hope in your name, for it is good,
in the presence of your saints.