The fool hath said in his heart ... - For the meaning of this verse, see the notes at Psalms 14:1. The only change in this verse - a change which does not affect the sense - is the substitution of the word “iniquity,” in Psalms 53:1-6, for “works,” in Psalms 14:1-7. read more
God looked down from heaven ... - See the notes at Psalms 14:2. The only change which occurs in this verse is the substitution of the word אלהים 'Elohiym, rendered “God,” for “Yahweh,” rendered Lord, in Psalms 14:2. The same change occurs also in Psalms 14:4, Psalms 14:6. It is to be observed, also, that the word “Yahweh” does not occur in this psalm, but that the term used is uniformly. אלהים 'Elohiym, God. In Psalms 14:1-7 both terms are found - the word אלהים 'Elohiym three times Psalms... read more
Every one of them is gone back - See the notes at Psalms 14:3. The only variation here in the two psalms is in the substitution of the word - סג sâg, for סור sûr - words almost identical in form and in sense. The only difference in meaning is, that the former word - the word used here - means “to draw back,” or “to go back;” the other, the word used in Psalms 14:1-7, means “to go off, to turn aside.” Each of them indicates a departure from God; a departure equally fatal and equally guilty,... read more
Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? - See the notes at Psalms 14:4. The only change in this verse is in the omission of the word “all.” This word, as it occurs in Psalms 14:1-7 (“all the workers of iniquity”), makes the sentence stronger and more emphatic. It is designed to affirm in the most absolute and unqualified manner that none of these workers of iniquity had any true knowledge of God. This has been noticed by critics as the only instance in which the expression in Psalms 14:1-7... read more
There were they in great fear ... - Margin, as in Hebrew, “they feared a fear.” For the general meaning of the verse, see the notes at Psalms 14:5. There is, however, an important change introduced here - the most important in the psalm. The general sentiment of two verses Psalms 14:5-6 in Psalms 14:1-7 is here compressed into one, and yet with such an important change as to show that it was by design, and apparently to adapt it to some new circumstance. The solution of this would seem to be... read more
Oh that the salvation of Israel ... - The only change here from Psalms 14:7 is that the word אלהים 'Elohiym, God, is substituted for “Jehovah,” Lord, and that the word rendered “salvation” is here in the plural. On the supposition that the psalm was adapted to a state of things when the city had been besieged, and the enemy discomfited, this language would express the deep and earnest desire of the people that the Lord would grant deliverance. Perhaps it may be supposed, also, that at the time... read more
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 14:0 ., and... read more
Psalms 53:5. Where no fear was Where there was no great or sufficient cause of fear. They who designed to secure themselves from all fear and danger, by their contempt of God, and by the persecution of good men, and by other wicked courses, were, by these means, filled with the terrors which they sought to avoid. For God hath scattered the bones, &c. Hath not only broken the bones, that is, their strength and force, which are often signified by bones; but also dispersed them hither... read more
Psalms 53:6. O that the salvation, &c. See on Psalms 14:7. read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 53
There is a remarkable resemblance between this psalm and Psalms 14:1-7. Both are ascribed to the same author, David; and each pursues the same line of thought - the folly and wickedness of Atheism. They both show that the belief that there is no God is not a harmless idea, or a mere speculation, but that it has important consequences on the life, and is naturally connected with a wicked life, Psalms 53:3-4.The difference in the two compositions is (a) in the title; and (b) in the psalm... read more