Psalm 53 Bible Commentary

53:1 «To the chief Musician upon ^a Mahalath, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David.» The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] ^b no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: [there is] none that doeth good.

(a) Which was an instrument or king of note.
(b) Whereas no regard is had for honesty or dishonesty, for virtue nor for vice, there the prophet pronounces that the people have no God.

53:2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were [any] that did understand, that did ^c seek God.

(c) By which he condemns all knowledge and understanding that tends not to seek God.

53:4 Have the ^d workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

(d) David pronounces God's vengeance against cruel governors who having charge to defend and preserve God's people, cruelly devour them.

53:5 There were they in great fear, [where] no ^e fear was: for God hath scattered the ^f bones of him that encampeth [against] thee: thou hast put [them] to shame, because God hath despised them.

(e) When they thought there was no opportunity to fear, the sudden vengeance of God lighted on them.
(f) No matter how great the enemies power is, or fearful the danger, yet God delivers his in due time.