Psalms 53

Psalms 53:1

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

fool. May not this refer to Nabal? God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4. I. Seven times in this Psalm. In Psalms 14 three times Elohim, and four timesJehovah. Elohim more characteristic of the second (or Exodus) book.

iniquity. In Psalms 14, Hebrew ’alilah = doing; here, ’aval= deceit. App-44. There is none, &c. Quoted in Romans 3:1-12.

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.

Psalms 53:4

the workers. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “all the workers”.

iniquity. Hebrew. ’avah. App-44.

Psalms 53:5

For God hath scattered. This is an addition to Psalms 14.

despised them. Here, the wicked are in question. In Psalms 14:5, the righteous.

Psalms 53:6

Oh. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6.

salvation = great salvation, plural of majesty. But some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read singular.

Zion. See App-68.

God. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read “Jehovah”.

Jacob . . . Israel: i.e. both natural and spiritual seed. See notes on Genesis 32:28; Genesis 43:6; Genesis 45:26, Genesis 45:28. To the chief Musician. This Psalm was edited for public use; hence the title Elohim. See notes above.

on = relating to.

Neginoth = smitings: referring to God’s smitings with words and acts. See Psalms 53:5, which differs from Psalms 14:5-6. See App-65.