Psalms 52:8-9

52:8 But I ¹  am like a flourishing ²  olive tree in the house of God;

I continually ³  trust in God’s loyal love.

52:9 I will continually ⁴  thank you when ⁵  you execute judgment; ⁶ 

I will rely ⁷  on you, ⁸  for your loyal followers know you are good. ⁹ 

[52:8]  ¹ tn The disjunctive construction (vav [ו] + subject) highlights the contrast between the evildoer’s destiny (vv. 5-7) and that of the godly psalmist’s security.

[52:8]  ² tn Or “luxuriant, green, leafy.”

[52:8]  ³ tn Or, hyperbolically, “forever and ever.”

[52:9]  ⁴ tn Or, hyperbolically, “forever.”

[52:9]  ⁵ tn Or “for.”

[52:9]  ⁶ tn Heb “you have acted.” The perfect verbal form (1) probably indicates a future perfect here. The psalmist promises to give thanks when the expected vindication has been accomplished. Other options include (2) a generalizing (“for you act”) or (3) rhetorical (“for you will act”) use.

[52:9]  ⁷ tn Or “wait.”

[52:9]  ⁸ tn Heb “your name.” God’s “name” refers here to his reputation and revealed character.

[52:9]  ⁹ tn Heb “for it is good in front of your loyal followers.”