To the chief Musician, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

PSALMS 52:1KJV
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Psalms 52:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 52:1 mean?

Psalms 52:1 asks why a powerful person brags about doing wrong, reminding that God’s loyal love and kindness never run out. The verse contrasts human pride in causing harm with God’s steady goodness.

This psalm is attributed to David, written after Doeg the Edomite told King Saul that David had gone to the house of Ahimelech. The verse addresses someone who uses their strength for evil, likely Doeg, and points out that while people may boast in their wrongdoing, God’s faithful love (often called “goodness” here) continues without end, outlasting any human mischief.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 52:1

  • The word “boastest” comes from הִתְהַלֵּל (hithallel), which means to praise oneself or brag. It highlights the arrogance of the “mighty man” who is proud of his harmful actions.
  • “Mischief” is רָע (ra‘), meaning evil or harm. This word makes clear that the boasting is about something truly destructive, not just a minor fault.
  • “Mighty” is גִּבּוֹר (gibbor), which refers to a strong or influential person. The verse is not speaking to just anyone, but to someone with power who uses it wrongly.
  • “Goodness” is חֶסֶד (chesed), a rich word for God’s loyal, steadfast love and kindness. The verse contrasts this with human evil, showing that God’s character is dependable and enduring.

Why Psalms 52:1 matters

  • Psalms 52:1 makes it clear that no matter how much someone may seem to succeed in doing wrong, God’s faithful love is stronger and lasts longer.
  • The verse sets up the whole psalm’s theme: human pride and evil are temporary, but God’s goodness is permanent.
  • By naming Doeg and the situation with Saul, the verse grounds its message in a real event, showing that these truths apply to actual moments of injustice and betrayal.

Where else these words appear

“Doeg” Hebrew H1673 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Samuel 21:7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.
  • 1 Samuel 22:9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
  • 1 Samuel 22:18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

“Edomite” Hebrew H130 · used in 12 verses

  • Deuteronomy 23:7 Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.
  • 1 Samuel 22:18 And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
  • 1 Kings 11:17 That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.

“Maschil” Hebrew H4905 · used in 13 verses

  • Psalms 32:1 A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
  • Psalms 53:1 To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
  • Psalms 78:1 Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.

“Ahimelech” Hebrew H288 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Samuel 21:1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?
  • 1 Samuel 22:14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house?
  • 1 Samuel 30:7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.