The Meaning of Psalms 52:6 Explained

Psalms 52:6

KJV: The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:

YLT: And the righteous see, And fear, and laugh at him.

Darby: The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him, saying,

ASV: The righteous also shall see it , and fear, And shall laugh at him,'saying ,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The righteous  also shall see,  and fear,  and shall laugh  at him: 

What does Psalms 52:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 52:1-9 - The Boaster And The Truster
The inscription of this psalm describes its origin. The contrast which it presents is full of instruction. The ungodly is often a mighty man in the estimation of the world. He boasts mischief; his tongue resembles the razor, which inflicts sharp and deep wounds; his words devour reputations, family-peace, and souls.
What a contrast is presented by the humble believer who trusts, not in wealth which vanishes, but in God's mercy which abides forever! Psalms 52:1-8. As the olives grew around the humble forest sanctuary at Nob, where the tragedy which called forth this psalm took place, and were hallowed by the shrine they encompassed, so the believer grows and is safe in loving fellowship with his Almighty Friend. Let us be among God's evergreens, drawing our nutriment from Him, as the roots struck into the rich mold. The psalmist is so certain of vindication and so assured of the overthrow of wickedness that he celebrates God's interposition before it takes place, and accounts it as being already accomplished. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 52

1  David, condemning the spitefulness of Doeg, prophesies his destruction
6  The righteous shall rejoice at it
8  David, upon his confidence in God's mercy, gives thanks

What do the individual words in Psalms 52:6 mean?

And shall see the righteous and fear and at him shall laugh [saying]
וְיִרְא֖וּ צַדִּיקִ֥ים וְיִירָ֗אוּ וְעָלָ֥יו יִשְׂחָֽקוּ

וְיִרְא֖וּ  And  shall  see 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
צַדִּיקִ֥ים  the  righteous 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: צַדִּיק  
Sense: just, lawful, righteous.
וְיִירָ֗אוּ  and  fear 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: יָרֵא 
Sense: to fear, revere, be afraid.
וְעָלָ֥יו  and  at  him 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition, third person masculine singular
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
יִשְׂחָֽקוּ  shall  laugh  [saying] 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׂחַק  
Sense: to laugh, play, mock.