53 1 He describeth the crooked nature. 4 The cruelty, 5 And punishment of the wicked, when they look not for it, 6 And desireth the deliverance of the godly, that they may rejoice together.
To him that excelleth on [a]Mahalath. A Psalm of David to give instruction.
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is [b]no God, they have corrupted and done abominable wickedness, there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that would understand and [c]seek God.
3 (A)Everyone is gone back: they are altogether corrupt: there is none that doeth good, no not one.
4 Do not the [d]workers of iniquity know that they eat up my people as they eat bread? they call not upon God.
5 There they were afraid for fear, where no [e]fear was: for God hath scattered the [f]bones of him that besieged thee: thou hast put them to confusion, because God hath cast them off.
6 Oh give salvation unto Israel out of Zion: when God turneth the captivity of his people, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Footnotes
- Psalm 53:1 Which was an instrument or kind of note.
- Psalm 53:1 Whereas no regard is had of honesty or dishonesty, of virtue nor of vice, there the Prophet pronounceth that the people have no God.
- Psalm 53:2 Whereby he condemneth all knowledge and understanding, that tendeth not to seek God.
- Psalm 53:4 David pronounceth God’s vengeance against cruel governors, who having charge to defend and preserve God’s people, do most cruelly devour them.
- Psalm 53:5 When they thought there was none occasion to fear, the sudden vengeance of God lighted upon them.
- Psalm 53:5 Be the enemy’s power never so great, nor the danger so fearful, yet God delivereth his in due time.