The Lord Will

Psalm 52:2

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

KJV

Read in Psalm 52

Meaning

The deceitful tongue is compared to a sharpened razor: speech can be deliberately crafted to cut, manipulate, and destroy.

Boasting power and a deceitful tongue

Psalm 52 contrasts a powerful deceiver who trusts destructive speech and wealth with a worshiper who trusts God’s steadfast love. Its superscription links the poem to Doeg the Edomite and the events surrounding the priests of Nob, but the psalm’s moral indictment must not be generalized to Edomites, ethnic groups, political opponents, or wealthy people as classes.

Read carefully

The deceitful tongue is compared to a sharpened razor: speech can be deliberately crafted to cut, manipulate, and destroy.

Reflection

The deceitful tongue is compared to a sharpened razor: speech can be deliberately crafted to cut, manipulate, and destroy.