Psalms 53:1-6

Psalms 53, 54

Psalms 53

(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

Psalms 53

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.