Psalms 53 - Introduction

A.M. 2983. B.C. 1021.

The occasion of this Psalm, which varies but little from the fourteenth, and for which variation it is not easy to account, is supposed to have been the next revolt which the Israelites in general made, immediately after the rebellion of Absalom, before David had quite recovered Jerusalem, and upon the quarrel which arose between the men of Judah and the men of Israel, about precedency in bringing back the king. 2 Samuel 20:2. See the contents of Psalms 14., and the notes upon it.

Title. Upon Mahalath This also seems to be the name of a musical instrument or tune. It is rendered, by Dr. Waterland, upon the hollow instruments; and by Houbigant, upon the chorus. With respect to many of such titles, it is better to confess our ignorance, as the Jewish doctors themselves do, than to give way to groundless conjectures about them.