Psalms 52:7
Psalms 52:7 in Multiple Translations
“Look at the man who did not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his wealth and strengthened himself by destruction.”
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.
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.
See, this is the man who did not make God his strength, but had faith in his goods and his property, and made himself strong in his wealth.
“See what happens to those who don't go to God for help but instead rely on their great wealth and strength—which only brings their destruction!”
Beholde the man that tooke not God for his strength, but trusted vnto the multitude of his riches, and put his strength in his malice.
'Lo, the man who maketh not God his strong place, And trusteth in the abundance of his riches, He is strong in his mischiefs.'
“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.”
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.
Who will give out of Sion the salvation of Israel? when God shall bring back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
“Look what happened to the man who would not ask God to protect him; he trusted that his great wealth would save him; he trusted in the money that he got by wickedly taking it from others!”
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 52:7
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 52:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
גַּם
אֵל֮
יִתָּצְ/ךָ֪
לָ֫/נֶ֥צַח
יַחְתְּ/ךָ֣
וְ/יִסָּחֲ/ךָ֣
מֵ/אֹ֑הֶל
וְ/שֵֽׁרֶשְׁ/ךָ֨
מֵ/אֶ֖רֶץ
חַיִּ֣ים
סֶֽלָה
גַּם
gam
H1571
also
DirObjM
אֵל֮
ʼêl
H410
god
N-ms
יִתָּצְ/ךָ֪
nâthats
H5422
to tear
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
לָ֫/נֶ֥צַח
netsach
H5331
perpetuity
Prep | N-ms
יַחְתְּ/ךָ֣
châthâh
H2846
to snatch up
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
וְ/יִסָּחֲ/ךָ֣
nâçach
H5255
to pull
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
מֵ/אֹ֑הֶל
ʼôhel
H168
tent
Prep | N-ms
וְ/שֵֽׁרֶשְׁ/ךָ֨
shârash
H8327
to uproot
Conj | V-Piel-3ms | Suff
מֵ/אֶ֖רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
חַיִּ֣ים
chay
H2416
alive
Adj
סֶֽלָה
çelâh
H5542
Selah
Part
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 52:7
גַּם
gam
H1571
"also"
DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
אֵל֮
ʼêl
H410
"god"
N-ms
In the Bible, 'el means strength or power, and is often used to refer to God or false gods. It describes something or someone as mighty or powerful, like the Almighty. This concept is central to understanding the Bible's view of God.
Definition: : god 1) god, god-like one, mighty one 1a) mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes 1b) angels 1c) god, false god, (demons, imaginations) 1d) God, the one true God, Jehovah 2) mighty things in nature 3) strength, power Also means: ": power" (el אֵל H0410L)
Usage: Occurs in 235 OT verses. KJV: God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.' See also: Genesis 14:18; Job 33:14; Psalms 5:5.
יִתָּצְ/ךָ֪
nâthats
H5422
"to tear"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
The act of tearing down or destroying something, like a wall or a city, is what this word describes, and it can also mean to overthrow or defeat someone.
Definition: 1) to pull down, break down, cast down, throw down, beat down, destroy, overthrow, break out (teeth) 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pull down 1a2) to break down, break off 1b) (Niphal) to be pulled or broken down 1c) (Piel) to tear down 1d) (Pual) to be torn down 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be broken down
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: beat down, break down (out), cast down, destroy, overthrow, pull down, throw down. See also: Exodus 34:13; 2 Chronicles 23:17; Psalms 52:7.
לָ֫/נֶ֥צַח
netsach
H5331
"perpetuity"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for perpetuity or everlastingness, often used to describe God's nature. It appears in Psalm 9:7, where the psalmist praises God's enduring presence. This word conveys the idea of something lasting forever.
Definition: 1) eminence, perpetuity, strength, victory, enduring, everlastingness 1a) eminence 1b) enduring of life 1c) endurance in time, perpetual, continual, unto the end 1d) everlastingness, ever
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), constantly, end, ([phrase] n-) ever(more), perpetual, strength, victory. See also: 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalms 74:10; Psalms 9:7.
יַחְתְּ/ךָ֣
châthâh
H2846
"to snatch up"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to quickly grab or pick up something, like coals from a fire. It appears in various forms, including to snatch up or heap up. This verb is used in different contexts, such as taking hold of something or someone.
Definition: (Qal) to take hold of, seize, take away, pile up, snatch up (coals)
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: heap, take (away). See also: Psalms 52:7; Proverbs 25:22; Proverbs 6:27.
וְ/יִסָּחֲ/ךָ֣
nâçach
H5255
"to pull"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
This word means to pull or tear something away, often with force. It is used in the Bible to describe actions like tearing down a building or uprooting a tree. This concept is seen in the story of Samson, who pulled down a temple.
Definition: 1) to pull or tear away 1a) (Qal) to tear away, tear down 1b) (Niphal) to be torn away Aramaic equivalent: ne.sach (נְסַח "to pull away" H5256)
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: destroy, pluck, root. See also: Deuteronomy 28:63; Proverbs 2:22; Psalms 52:7.
מֵ/אֹ֑הֶל
ʼôhel
H168
"tent"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for a tent, often used to describe the tabernacle or a nomad's home. In Exodus 33:7-11, it refers to the sacred tent where God meets with Moses.
Definition: : tent 1) tent 1a) nomad's tent, and thus symbolic of wilderness life, transience 1b) dwelling, home, habitation 1c) the sacred tent of Jehovah (the tabernacle) Also means: o.hel (אֹ֫הֶל ": home" H0168H)
Usage: Occurs in 314 OT verses. KJV: covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent. See also: Genesis 4:20; Leviticus 14:23; Joshua 22:4.
וְ/שֵֽׁרֶשְׁ/ךָ֨
shârash
H8327
"to uproot"
Conj | V-Piel-3ms | Suff
To uproot means to remove something from the ground, like a plant. In the Bible, it can also mean to get rid of something bad. It appears in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Definition: 1) to uproot, take root, deal with the roots 1a) (Piel) to root up, root out 1b) (Pual) to be rooted up or out (of produce) 1c) (Poel) to take root 1d) (Poal) to take root 1e) (Hiphil) to take root, cause to take root
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: (take, cause to take) root (out). See also: Job 5:3; Psalms 80:10; Psalms 52:7.
מֵ/אֶ֖רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
חַיִּ֣ים
chay
H2416
"alive"
Adj
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
סֶֽלָה
çelâh
H5542
"Selah"
Part
Selah is a musical term in the Bible that signals a pause or interruption in the music, like a rest in a song, often used in Psalms. It is a technical term that sets a moment for reflection and contemplation, as seen in Psalm 3:2.
Definition: § 1) to lift up, exalt 1a) Selah 1a1) a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: Selah. See also: Psalms 3:3; Psalms 62:5; Psalms 3:5.
Study Notes — Psalms 52:7
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 52:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 52:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 52:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 52:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 52:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 52:7
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 52:7
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 52:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 52:7
- Sermons on Psalms 52:7
Context — Why Do You Boast of Evil?
5Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin; He will snatch you up and tear you away from your tent; He will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
6The righteous will see and fear; they will mock the evildoer, saying,
7“Look at the man who did not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his wealth and strengthened himself by destruction.”
8But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in the loving devotion of God forever and ever. 9I 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 17:5 | This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. |
| 2 | Psalms 73:18–20 | Surely You set them on slick ground; You cast them down into ruin. How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors! Like one waking from a dream, so You, O Lord, awaken and despise their form. |
| 3 | Ecclesiastes 8:8 | As no man has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has authority over his day of death. As no one can be discharged in wartime, so wickedness will not release those who practice it. |
| 4 | Psalms 49:6–20 | They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God. For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice, that he should live on forever and not see decay. For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their eternal homes— their dwellings for endless generations— even though their lands were their namesakes. But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of the self-confident and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah Do not be amazed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases. For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down. Though in his lifetime he blesses his soul— and men praise you when you prosper— he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. |
| 5 | John 19:5 | When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” |
| 6 | Job 31:24–25 | If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security, if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much, |
| 7 | 1 Timothy 6:17 | Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy. |
| 8 | Isaiah 14:16–17 | Those who see you will stare; they will ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made the kingdoms tremble, who turned the world into a desert and destroyed its cities, who refused to let the captives return to their homes?” |
| 9 | Psalms 62:9–10 | Lowborn men are but a vapor, the exalted but a lie. Weighed on the scale, they go up; together they are but a vapor. Place no trust in extortion, or false hope in stolen goods. If your riches increase, do not set your heart upon them. |
| 10 | Psalms 146:3–5 | Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save. When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, |
Psalms 52:7 Summary
This verse is warning us about the dangers of trusting in our wealth and material possessions instead of trusting in God. When we do this, we are not making God our refuge and are instead relying on things that are not truly reliable, as seen in Psalms 52:7. We can learn from this by trusting in God and seeking to use our resources in a way that honors Him, as encouraged in Matthew 6:19-21. By doing so, we can avoid the mistake of the person in this verse and instead find true security and happiness in our relationship with God, as promised in Jeremiah 17:7-8.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to not make God our refuge?
This means that the person is not trusting in God for their safety and well-being, but instead is relying on other things, as seen in Psalms 52:7, and is a concept also discussed in Psalms 91:2 and Proverbs 18:10.
Is it wrong to have wealth and material possessions?
No, having wealth and material possessions is not inherently wrong, as seen in the example of Abraham in Genesis 13:2, but it becomes wrong when we trust in them for our security and happiness instead of trusting in God, as warned in 1 Timothy 6:17.
What does it mean to strengthen oneself by destruction?
This phrase suggests that the person is using harmful or destructive means to achieve their goals and gain power, which is condemned in Scripture, as seen in Psalms 52:7 and also in Proverbs 21:7.
How can we avoid the mistake of the person in this verse?
We can avoid this mistake by making God our refuge and trusting in Him, as encouraged in Psalms 37:3-4 and Proverbs 3:5-6, and by seeking to use our wealth and resources in a way that honors Him, as taught in Matthew 6:19-21 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things that I am trusting in for my security and happiness, and are they truly reliable?
- How can I make sure that I am not strengthening myself by destructive means, but instead by the power of God?
- What does it mean for me to make God my refuge, and how can I do that in my daily life?
- How can I use my wealth and resources in a way that honors God and does not lead me away from Him?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 52:7
Lo, [this is] the man [that] made not God his strength,.... The Targum renders it, "that made not the Word of the Lord his strength".
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 52:7
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 52:7
The man: these are the triumphant words of the righteous. This is the great and famous man, take special notice of him, and of his doleful end. That made not God his strength that trusted and feared Saul more than God, and was willing to purchase Saul’ s favour with God’ s displeasure. Trusted in the abundance of his riches; thought himself secure in his great and growing wealth, without God’ s protection or blessing.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 52:7
Psalms 52:7 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.Ver. 7. Lo, this is the man] Or, rather, now the monster to be pointed at; once so mighty, now so miserable, O quantum haec Niobe, &c., what a strange change is here, &c. As the true Israelite is pointed out with a Behold, for imitation, John 1:47, so is this counterfeit Israelite for detestation. That made not God his strength] But carried the matter as if he had been some petty god within himself. But trusted in the abundance, &c.] Never true to those that trusted them. And strengthened himself in his wickedness] Heb. in his woeful evil, in his putting many poor creatures to their "Woe is me!"
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 52:7
Verse 7. Made not God his strength] Did not make God his portion. In the abundance of his riches] Literally, in the multiplication of his riches. He had got much, he hoped to get more, and expected that his happiness would multiply as his riches multiplied. And this is the case with most rich men. Strengthened himself in his wickedness.] Loved money instead of God; and thus his depravity, being increased, was strengthened. Crescit amor nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crescit. "In proportion to the increase of wealth, so is the love of it." Where is the religious man, in whose hands money has multiplied, who has not lost the spirit of piety in the same ratio? To prevent this, and the perdition to which it leads, there is no way but opening both hands to the poor.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 52:7
7. The words of the righteous. There is a touch of sarcasm in the use of the word geber (akin to gibbor, Psalms 52:1) for man (as perhaps in Isaiah 22:17, see R.V. marg.), denoting a man in his full vigour. that made not God his strength] Or, stronghold. The tense implies that it was the constant habit of his mind. but trusted &c.] Cp. Psalms 49:6. in his wickedness] The singular of the word rendered mischiefs (R.V. very wickedness) in Psalms 52:2. It may here mean greed, or covetousness. But the rendering of the Targ. and the Syr. in his wealth (whence A.V. marg. substance), seems to represent a slightly different reading, which agrees well with the parallel, in the abundance of his riches.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 52:7
Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength - That is, the righteous Psalms 52:6 would say this. They would designate him as a man who had not made God his refuge, but who had trusted in his own resources.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 52:7
7. The righteous now speak. Lo, this is the man—Literally, Behold the strong man, or the hero.
Sermons on Psalms 52:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Exposition on Psalm 52 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches about the contrast between those who trust in earthly riches and those who trust in the mercy of God for everlasting life. He emphasizes the importance of ro |
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Esther #3 Ch. 5-7 by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Esther from the Bible. He highlights a scene where the king wants to reward Mordecai, but Haman, who wants to hang Mordecai, co |
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The Two Judaisms by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the materialistic mindset prevalent in America, where success is measured by wealth and possessions. He acknowledges the struggle of those wh |
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Jeremiah, the Persecuted Prophet by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for filmmaker Steven Spielberg to be stripped of his worldly success and brought into the wilderness of the nations. This wilderness |
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The Cross in My Life - Part 1 by Derek Prince | This sermon delves into the significance of the cross in the life of a believer, emphasizing how the cross is the foundation of God's provision for every aspect of a believer's lif |
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The God of Hope by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having hope and joy in the midst of a hopeless world. He encourages the congregation to live in hope and to rely on the Ho |
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To Whom Is the Arm of the Lord Revealed by Art Katz | The video begins with a blurred image that gradually comes into focus, revealing a white lamb. A man dressed in biblical garments appears and ties the legs of the lamb. The man the |