Psalm 53:1 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 53:1-6

This psalm was opened before, and therefore we shall here only observe, in short, some things concerning sin, in order to the increasing of our sorrow for it and hatred of it. 1. The fact of sin. Isa. that proved? Can the charge be made out? Yes, God is a witness to it, an unexceptionable witness: from the place of his holiness he looks on the children of men, and sees how little good there is among them, Ps. 53:2. All the sinfulness of their hearts and lives in naked and open before him. 2.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 53:1

The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God ,.... The Targum adds, "of whom is revenge"; or there is no God to punish and avenge the wicked; corrupt are they ; the Chaldee paraphrase is, "the wicked have corrupted their ways"; as all flesh had done in the old world, Genesis 6:12 ; and have done abominable iniquity ; iniquity is the abominable thing that God hates, and makes men abominable in his sight; in Psalm 11:1 , it is read, "abominable worlds": the Targum paraphrases... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 53:1

The fool hath said in his heart - The whole of this Psalm, except a few inconsiderable differences, is the same as the fourteenth; and, therefore, the same notes and analysis may be applied to it; or, by referring to the fourteenth, the reader will find the subject of it amply explained. I shall add a few short notes. Have done abominable iniquity - Instead of עול avel , evil or iniquity, eight of Kennicott's and De Rossi's MSS. have עלילה alilah , work, which is nearly the same... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 53:1-2

Atheism contrasted with godliness. I. ATHEISM . "No God." This implies: 1 . Denial of God ' s existence This is folly. The assertion proves nothing. Negatives are not arguments. Besides, there may be a God, though you, the denier, have not found him. You have not yet explored the universe. 2 . Denial of God ' s moral government of the world. "No God!" if so, then there is nothing but chance. There can be no law without a lawgiver, no order without a controlling mind.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 53:1-6

The expression, "upon Mahalath," or, "set to Mahalath," in the title, is thought to be a musical direction, and is explained by Dr. Kay as equivalent to the modern Maestoso. Psalms 53:1 and Psalms 53:2 are identical with the same verses of Psalms 14:1-7 ; with the single exception that "Jehovah "is replaced by" Elohim," as the first word of Psalms 14:2 . read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 53:1

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

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

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