Psalms 52:8

But Iam like a green olive tree R.V., But as for me, I am like a green olive tree, rightly emphasising the contrast between the fate of the wicked man and the hopes of the speaker. But who is the speaker? Is it, as is commonly supposed, the Psalmist? or is the speech of the righteous in Psalms 52:7 continued, but with a transition to the singular, in order more forcibly to express the personal faith of each individual? It makes little difference to the sense: the Psalmist, if he is the speaker, speaks as the representative of the righteous.

like a green olive tree in the house of God It is possible (cp. Psalms 92:13) that trees grew in the temple courts, as they grow at the present day in the Haram area, and that he compares his prosperity and security to that of the carefully tended trees planted in sacred ground. But more probably two figures are combined. He is like an evergreen olive tree, while the wicked man is rooted up: he is God's guest, enjoying His favour and protection. For the metaphor of the tree cp. Jeremiah 11:16; Hosea 14:8 (of the nation); Psalms 1:3; Psalms 92:12 ff: and for that of the guest see Psalms 23:6; Psalms 27:4; Psalms 15:1. Note too that God's house may mean the land of Israel (Hosea 9:15), in which the righteous dwells securely while the wicked man is driven out of it (Psalms 52:5).

mercy Rather, lovingkindness, as in Psalms 52:1.