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Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 53:3

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 53:1-6

Psalms 52-54 Those who act treacherouslyWhen David fled from Saul he obtained urgently needed provisions from the priests at Nob (1 Samuel 21:1-9). He was seen by Doeg, an Edomite and a servant of Saul, who reported the matter to Saul. In a typical fit of mad vengeance, Saul ordered Doeg to kill all the priests at Nob, something that Doeg was very willing to do (1 Samuel 22:6-23). On hearing of Doeg’s butchery, David wrote a poem against him, which has been preserved in the Bible as Psalms 52:0... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 53:1

Title. Maschil = Instruction (the sixth of thirteen Psalms so named. See note on Title, Psalms 32:0 , and App-65 , as to the faction of the Tyrant of Psalms 52:0 . This Psalm for public use. See note at end. Hence Elohim ( App-4 ), the Creator in relation to His creatures. A partial repetition of Psalms 14:0 , which was not for public use (as Psalms 53:0 was); therefore Jehovah (David's God) there, and Elohim (the creature's Creator) here. fool. May not this refer to Nabal? God. Hebrew. ... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 53:3

God. Hebrew 'eth 'Elohim (Objective). App-4 . Note the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ), by which this verse is marked off as containing universal instruction, beginning and ending with the same word "God". children of men = sons of Adam. App-14 . that did understand. Hebrew. Maschil. See note on Title. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 53:1

PSALM 53THE UNIVERSAL SINFULNESS OF MANKINDSuperscription: Title: The Folly and Wickedness of Men.For the Chief Musician; set to Mahalath. Maschil of David.The title in the ASV is "The Folly and Wickedness of Men," and in Halley's Handbook of the Bible we have the one selected here.Set to Mahalath. "According to Dr. Kay, this is a musical term indicating that it is to be sung `Maestoso.'"[1] This is a musical instruction meaning, "`With Majesty,' `Majestically,' or `Stately.'"[2]Maschil. This... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 53:1

Psalms 53:0. David describeth the corruption of a natural man: he convinceth the wicked by the light of their own conscience: he glorieth in the salvation of God. To the chief musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Title. לדוד משׂכיל מחלת על למנצח lamnatseach al machalath maskiil ledavid.] The occasion of this Psalm, which varies but little from the 14th, and for which variation it is not easy to account, is supposed to have been the next revolt which the Israelites in general made... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 53:1

A fool in the ancient Hebrew view of life was a person who did not acknowledge God’s existence intellectually, practically, or both (cf. Romans 1). He lived as though God does not exist. Such a viewpoint leads to unrestrained behavior. The fool’s conduct is essentially corrupt, in addition to being abominable to God (i.e., vile). No one is completely or consistently good because everyone disregards God from time to time. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 53:1-6

Psalms 53This psalm is another version of the one that appears in Book 1 as Psalms 14. David wrote it, and "mahalath" is a tune name. One interesting difference between this psalm and Psalms 14 is that this one contains the name Elohim whereas Psalms 14 has Yahweh.". . . Psalms 53’s position between Psalms 52, 54 favors an ancient tradition relating to the life of David. Psalms 52 relates to the story of Doeg (cf. 1 Samuel 22) and Psalms 54 to the incident of the Ziphites (cf. 1 Samuel 23; 1... read more

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