TRV
Translation
King James Version
I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
Complete Jewish Bible
I will praise you forever for what you have done, and I will put my hope in your name; for this is what is good in the presence of your faithful.
Berean Standard Bible
I will praise You forever, because You have done it. I will wait on Your name— for it is good— in the presence of Your saints.
American Standard Version
I will give thee thanks for ever, because thou hast done it; And I will hope in thy name, for it is good, in the presence of thy saints.
World English Bible Messianic
I will give you thanks forever, because you have done it. I will hope in your name, for it is good, in the presence of your holy ones.
Geneva Bible (1599)
I will alway praise thee, for that thou hast done this, and I will hope in thy Name, because it is good before thy Saints.
Young's Literal Translation
I thank Thee to the age, because Thou hast done it , And I wait on Thy name for it is good before Thy saints!
See also
In the KJVVerse 14,720 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 52 verses 6–9
6 ¶ The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
7 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.
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.
David was at this time in great distress; the mischief Doeg had done him was but the beginning of his sorrows; and yet here we have him triumphing, and that is more than rejoicing, in tribulation. Blessed Paul, in the midst of his troubles, is in the midst of his triumphs, Co2 2:14. David here triumphs,
I. In the fall of Doeg. Yet, lest this should look like personal revenge, he does not speak of it as how own act, but the language of other righteous persons. They shall observe God's judgments on Doeg, and speak of them, 1. To the glory of God: They shall see and fear (Psa 52:6); that is, they shall reverence the justice of God, and stand in awe of him, as a God of almighty power, before whom the proudest sinner cannot stand and before whom therefore we ought every one of us to humble ourselves. Note, God's judgments on the wicked should strike an awe upon the righteous and make them afraid of offending God and incurring his displeasure, Psa 119:120; Rev 15:3, Rev 15:4. 2. To the shame of Doeg. They shall laugh at him, not with a ludicrous, but a rational serious laughter, as he that sits in heaven shall laugh at him, Psa 2:4. He shall appear ridiculous, and worthy to be laughed at. We are told how they shall triumph in God's just judgments on him (Psa 52:7): Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength. The fall and ruin of a wealthy mighty man cannot but be generally taken notice of, and every one is apt to make his remarks upon it; now this is the remark which the righteous should make upon Doeg's fall, that no better could come of it, since he took the wrong method of establishing himself in his wealth and power. If a newly-erected fabric tumbles down, every one immediately enquires where was the fault in the building of it. Now that which ruined Doeg's prosperity was, (1.) That he did not build it upon a rock: He made not God his strength, that is, he did not think that the continuance of his prosperity depended upon the favour of God, and therefore took no care to make sure that favour nor to keep himself in God's love, made no conscience of his duty to him nor sought him in the least. Those wretchedly deceive themselves that think to support themselves in their power and wealth without God and religion. (2.) That he did build it upon the sand. He thought his wealth would support itself: He trusted in the abundance of his riches, which, he imagined, were laid up for many years; nay, he thought his wickedness would help to support it. He was resolved to stick at nothing for the securing and advancing of his honour and power. Right or wrong, he would get what he could and keep what he had, and be the ruin of any one that stood in his way; and this, he thought, would strengthen him. Those may have any thing that will make conscience of nothing. But now see what it comes to; see what untempered mortar he built his house with, now that it has fallen and he is himself buried in the ruins of it.
II. In his own stability, Psa 52:8, Psa 52:9. "This mighty man is plucked up by the roots; but I am like a green olive-tree, planted and rooted, fixed and flourishing; he is turned out of God's dwelling-place, but I am established in it, not detained, as Doeg, by any thing but the abundant satisfaction I meet with there." Note, Those that by faith and love dwell in the house of God shall be like green olive-trees there; the wicked are said to flourish like a green bay-tree (Psa 37:35), which bears no useful fruit, though it has abundance of large leaves; but the righteous flourish like a green olive-tree, which is fat as well as flourishing (Psa 92:14) and with its fatness honours God and man (Jdg 9:9), deriving its root and fatness from the good olive, Rom 11:17. Now what must we do that we may be as green olive-trees? 1. We must live a life of faith and holy confidence in God and his grace? "I see what comes of men's trusting in the abundance of their riches, and therefore I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever - not in the world, but in God, not in my own merit, but in God's mercy, which dispenses its gifts freely, even to the unworthy, and has in it an all-sufficiency to be our portion and happiness." This mercy is for ever; it is constant and unchangeable, and its gifts will continue to all eternity. We must therefore for ever trust in it, and never come off from that foundation. 2. We must live a life of thankfulness and holy joy in God (Psa 52:9): "I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it, has avenged the blood of thy priests upon their bloody enemy, and given him blood to drink, and hast performed thy promise to me," which he was as sure would be done in due time as if it were done already. It contributes very much to the beauty of our profession, and to our fruitfulness in every grace, to be much in praising God; and it is certain that we never want matter for praise. 3. We must live a life of expectation and humble dependence upon God: "I will wait on thy name; I will attend upon thee in all those ways wherein thou hast made thyself known, hoping for the discoveries of thy favour to me and willing to tarry till the time appointed for them; for it is good before thy saints," or in the opinion and judgment of thy saints, with whom David heartily concurs. Communis sensus fidelium - All the saints are of this mind, (1.) That God's name is good in itself, that God's manifestations of himself to his people are gracious and very kind; there is no other name given than his that can be our refuge and strong tower. (2.) That it is very good for us to wait on that name, that there is nothing better to calm and quiet our spirits when they are ruffled and disturbed, and to keep us in the way of duty when we are tempted to use any indirect courses for our own relief, than to hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord, Lam 3:26. All the saints have experienced the benefit of it, who never attended him in vain, never followed his guidance but it ended well, nor were ever made ashamed of their believing expectations from him. What is good before all the saints let us therefore abide and abound in, and in this particularly: Turn thou to thy God; keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually, Hos 12:6.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–9. Public domain.
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Eusebius of CaesareaAD 339
Now, he pointed out that the end of the one who is powerful in wickedness is uprooting and destruction. For it was necessary for the root that bears bitter fruit to be †------ off† by the wise farmer of the universe. But David, like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, put his hope in the mercy of God for ever, even forever and ever, procuring for himself immortality and eternal life on the basis of his good hope, from which he will never fall away. For according to the Apostle, "hope does not put us to shame." Then, having sketched out good hopes for himself as it were on the basis of good fruits, he attributes the responsibility [for all this] to the provider of all good things, saying: "I shall praise you forever, because you did [this]." For (he says) I did not make myself like a fruitful olive tree, but rather, you did. For grace comes from you. And so I will never cease from the knowledge of your grace, and from praising you; having once put my hope in the mercy of God, "I shall patiently await his name." For once the foundation of good hope has been established, we need patience. Therefore, he says, "I shall patiently await your name, because it is beneficial before your holy ones"—or, according to Symmachus' translation: "…because your name is good in front of your holy ones." Knowing, therefore, that it is good, and productive of good—not for those who are powerful in wickedness nor for those who are to be cast out from among the living, but to the holy ones, he quite rightly said, "I shall patiently await your name," being hopeful that I will never fall out of your mercy. In this way, I have put my hope in him forever, even for ever and ever.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 52
Therefore that man having been condemned that "has trusted in the multitude of his riches, and has prevailed in his vanity:" for what more vain, than he that thinks coin more to avail than God? Therefore that man having been condemned that said, blessed of the people to whom these things are: thou that sayest, "Blessed the people of whom is the Lord their own God," dost think of yourself what? dost hope for yourself what? "But I;" now at length hear that body: "But I am like an olive, fruit-bearing in the house of God" [Psalm 52:9]. Not one man speaks, but that olive fruit-bearing, whence have been pruned the proud branches, and the humble wild olive graffed in. [Romans 11:17] "Like an olive, fruit-bearing in the house of God, I have trusted in the mercy of God." He did what? "In the multitude of his riches:" therefore his root shall be plucked out from the land of the living. "But I," because "like an olive, fruit-bearing in the house of God," the root whereof is nourished, is not rooted out, "have trusted in the mercy of God." But perchance now? For even herein men err sometimes. God indeed they worship, and are not now like to that Doeg: but though on God they rely, it is for temporal things nevertheless; so that they say to themselves, I worship my God, who will make me rich upon earth, who to me will give sons, who to me will give a wife. Such things indeed gives none but God, but God would not have Himself for the sake of such things to be loved. For to this end oftentimes those things He gives even to evil men, in order that some other thing good men of Him may learn to seek. In what manner then do you say, "I have trusted in the mercy of God"? Perchance for obtaining temporal things? Nay but, "For everlasting and world without end." The expression, "For everlasting," he willed to repeat by adding, "world without end," in order that by there repeating he might affirm how rooted he was in the love of the kingdom of heaven, and in the hope of everlasting felicity.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 52:9 serves as a triumphant declaration of David's unyielding faith and profound commitment to God, even in the face of egregious betrayal and injustice. Following his denunciation of the destructive pride embodied by the wicked, specifically Doeg the Edomite, David articulates an eternal pledge of praise and steadfast trust in God's righteous and decisive intervention. He commits to patiently and confidently rely on God's revealed character, confident that the inherent goodness and justice of God will be openly manifested and celebrated by the community of His faithful people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 52:9 masterfully employs several potent literary devices. The most striking is Anticipation, where David speaks of God's future, decisive action ("thou hast done [it]") with the absolute certainty of a past accomplishment. This use of the prophetic perfect tense powerfully conveys his unshakeable faith in divine justice and the inevitability of God's intervention. This certainty, in turn, creates a strong sense of Vindication, as David is confident that God will not only act on his behalf but also uphold His own righteous name. There is a clear Contrast established with the preceding verses of the psalm, which vividly describe the destructive words and deeds of the wicked; here, David's words are those of praise, trust, and hopeful expectation, building a counter-narrative of faith and divine faithfulness. Finally, the phrase "good before thy saints" functions as a powerful Affirmation, emphasizing that God's righteousness and the beneficence of His actions are not private matters but are publicly displayed and acknowledged by the faithful community, thereby reinforcing their collective trust, inspiring their worship, and strengthening their resolve.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 52:9 articulates a profound theological truth regarding the believer's appropriate and enduring response to divine justice and the ultimate triumph of righteousness over evil. It underscores that God is not a passive observer of human affairs but an active, sovereign, and righteous judge who intervenes decisively on behalf of His covenant people. David's commitment to "praise for ever" and "wait on thy name" reveals a mature, resilient faith that finds its unshakeable anchor in God's unchanging character, rather than being swayed by fluctuating circumstances or the apparent prosperity of the wicked. This verse serves as a potent reminder that God's actions, even when perceived as delayed from a human perspective, are always perfectly timed, perfectly just, and ultimately redound to His glory and the profound good of His saints, providing an undeniable public testimony to His unwavering faithfulness and moral perfection.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 52:9 offers profound encouragement and a timeless blueprint for cultivating steadfast faith, particularly when confronted with the sting of injustice, betrayal, or the apparent triumph of wickedness. It challenges believers to embrace an enduring posture of praise, not as a superficial emotional response, but as a deep-seated, theological conviction rooted in God's unwavering character, independent of immediate circumstances. When the wicked seem to prosper or when we endure personal attacks, this verse calls us to trust implicitly that God "has done it" or will surely do it – that He will act righteously, decisively, and in perfect timing. Our role is to actively "wait on His name," which means to patiently, confidently, and persistently rely on His revealed nature, finding profound peace in His sovereignty and inherent goodness, knowing that His timing is always perfect. Furthermore, the verse reminds us that our steadfastness in faith, our patient endurance, and the ultimate vindication we experience are intended to be a public testimony. Our lives, marked by trust and praise amidst adversity, become living demonstrations of God's faithfulness, serving to encourage fellow believers and affirm His righteousness within the community of saints.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "because thou hast done [it]" refer to in this context?
Answer: The phrase "because thou hast done [it]" refers to God's decisive and certain intervention against the wicked and His vindication of the righteous. In the immediate context of Psalms 52, it specifically anticipates God's judgment upon Doeg the Edomite and the deliverance of David from his adversaries. While the "it" may not have fully materialized at the moment David penned the psalm, he speaks with absolute faith and certainty, as if God's righteous act is already accomplished. This reflects a common prophetic perfect tense in Hebrew, where a future event is spoken of as if it were past, due to the absolute certainty of its occurrence, underscoring David's profound trust in God's justice and faithfulness.
Why is it significant that God's goodness is "before thy saints"?
Answer: The phrase "for [it is] good before thy saints" emphasizes the public, communal, and affirming aspect of God's justice and faithfulness. It signifies that God's character and His righteous actions are not hidden or private but are openly displayed and affirmed by the community of His faithful people. When God acts to judge the wicked and vindicate the righteous, it serves as a powerful, visible testimony to His inherent goodness, reinforcing the faith of believers and strengthening their collective trust in Him. It also demonstrates that God cares deeply for His people and acts on their behalf, providing profound encouragement and solidifying the collective understanding of His covenant loyalty within the assembly of the saints, as seen in passages like Psalms 22:22.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 52:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied the "goodness" of God's name and whose decisive action definitively "did it" for all humanity. David's unwavering praise and patient waiting anticipate the ultimate divine intervention accomplished through Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection. Jesus, the true "green olive tree" of God's house, rooted eternally in God's steadfast love compare with Psalms 52:8, perfectly fulfilled the righteous requirements of God's law. Through His sacrifice on the cross, He "did it" – He disarmed the powers of darkness, triumphed over sin and death, and secured eternal redemption for all who believe Colossians 2:15. Our eternal praise is now directed to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world John 1:29, because He has definitively and eternally secured our salvation. We continue to "wait on His name" by faithfully enduring in hope, knowing that He will return in glory to fully establish His kingdom, execute final judgment, and make all things new Revelation 22:20. His ultimate vindication and the goodness of His redemptive work are not hidden but are openly proclaimed "before His saints"—the Church, His redeemed people—who bear witness to His saving power and anticipate His glorious return, living in the light of His accomplished work and His coming triumph 1 Peter 2:9.