Psalms 53

See the Contents or argument of this Psalm before on Psalm 14.

1. An Instruction of David: [See Psa.32.on v.1.] for the chief song-master [see Psa.4.on v.1.] on Machalath. [this seems likewise to be a certain kind of Musical instrument, not much unlike the Nechiloth. See Psa.5.on v.1. Compare below Psa.88.v.1.]

2. The fool saith in his heart [This Psalm agrees with the 14. Some small alteration excepted, which the holy Ghost was pleased to make therein, see the annotations there] there is no God: they corrupt it, and they practise abominable wrong, there is none that doth good.

3. God hath looked down out of heaven upon the children of men, to see if any were understanding that sought God.

4. Every one of them is turned back, they are grown stinking together, there is none that doth good, no not one.

5. Have then the workers of iniquity no knowledge? Which eat up my people, (as if) they are bread? They do not call upon God.

6. There they were frighted with fright, where no fright was; [Where they had not the least thought of any possibility to be frighted, being therefore undaunted stout and daring; or where there were no natural causes or grounds of being or making afraid, for on God they never thought, from whom nevertheless it was to come upon them. Compare Lev.26.v.36. Deut.28.65. Job 15:21. Prov.28.1.] for God hath scattered the bones of him that besieged thee: [as it happened to them that are slain in Battaile, or torn by wilde beasts, whose bones ly scattered here and there. The Prophet addresseth his speech here, to the communion of believers, himself including] thou hast made them ashamed, for God hath rejected them, [viz. Your Enemies and oppressours.]

7. O that Israels deliverances, [i.e. perfect, full deliverance, according as elsewhere the plural number is taken in this sence, in Psa.14.v.7. you have deliverance or salvation, in the singular] Came out of Zion: when God shall make the Captives of his people to return, then shall Jacob rejoice, Israel shall be glad.