Psalms 53:1-6
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
6 Oh thata the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Psalms 53, 54
(Lm.) An Instructive-psalmBy David.
(N.B.For Title, Analysis and Exposition of this psalm, see Psalms 14, with which this psalm is practically identicalthis being an Elohistic recension of that.)
1
Said a vile person in his heartNo God here!
their conduct is corrupt their practice abominable there is no well-doer!
2
God out of the heavens looked down over the sons of men,
to see whether there was one that shewed understanding in seeking after God:
3
The whole have turned aside drawn back[586] together become tainted:
[586] So Br., uniting the two verbs found, the one in Psalms 14:3 and the other in Psalms 53:3.
there is no well-doer there is not so much as one!
4
Have not[587] the workers of iniquity[588] learned anything?devourers of my people!
[587] In some cod. (w. 2 ear. pr. edns., Aram., Sep., Syr., Vul.): none of: cp. Psalms 14:4Gn.
[588] NaughtinessDr.
they have devoured food God[589] have they not invoked!
[589] Some cod. (w. 1 ear. pr. edn.): JehovahGn.
5
There dreaded they a dread, when God scattered them,
their plan was put to shame, when God rejected them.[590]
[590] So Br., as in Psalms 14:5-6 :
There dreaded they a dreadthere was no dread!
for God had scattered the bones of the besieger.
Thou hadst put him to shame for God had rejected them.
6
Oh that out of Zion were granted the deliverances[591] of Israel!
[591] Or: great salvation (pl. intensive). In some cod. (w. Sep., Syr.): salvation (sing.). Gp. Psalms 14:7, G. Intro., 148.
When God[592] restoreth the prosperity[593] of his people
[592] Some cod. (w. Aram., Sep., Syr.): Jehovah. Cp. Psalms 14:7Gn.
[593] So Br., also O.G. 986, esp. Psalms 126:1; Psalms 126:4.
let Jacob exult let Israel be glad.
(Lm.) To the Chief Musician. (CMm.) With stringed instruments.
PARAPHRASE
Only a fool would say to himself, There is no God. And why does he say it?[*] Because of his wicked heart, his dark and evil deeds. His life is corroded with sin.
[*] Implied.
2 God looks down from heaven, searching among all mankind to see if there is a single one who does right and really seeks for God.
3 But all have turned their backs on Him; they are filthy with sincorrupt and rotten through and through. Not one is good, not one!
4 How can this be? Can-'t they understand anything? For they devour My people like bread and refuse to come to God.
5 But soon unheard-of terror will fall on them. God will scatter the bones of these, your enemies! They are doomed, for God has rejected them.
6 Oh, that God would come from Zion now and save Israel! Only when the Lord Himself restores them can they ever be really happy again.