Psalms 53
Psalm 53 ▼▼sn Psalm 53. This psalm is very similar to Ps 14. The major difference comes in v. 5, which corresponds to, but differs quite a bit from, Ps 14:5-6, and in the use of the divine name. Ps 14 uses “the Lord” (יְהוָה, yehvah, “Yahweh”) in vv. 2a, 4, 6, and 7, while Ps 53 employs “God” (אֱלֹהִים, ’elohim) throughout, as one might expect in Pss 42-83, where the name “Yahweh” is relatively infrequent. The psalmist observes that the human race is morally corrupt. Evildoers oppress God’s people, but the psalmist is confident of God’s protection and anticipates a day when God will vindicate Israel.
For the music director, according to the machalath style; ▼ a well-written song ▼ by David.
1 Fools say to themselves, ▼▼tn Heb “a fool says in his heart.” The singular is used here in a collective or representative sense; the typical fool is envisioned.
“There is no God.” ▼ They sin and commit evil deeds; ▼
▼tn Heb “they act corruptly, they do evil [with] injustice.” Ps 14:1 has עֲלִילָה (ʿalilah, “a deed”) instead of עָוֶל (ʿaval, “injustice”). The verbs describe the typical behavior of the wicked. The subject of the plural verbs is “sons of man” (v. 2). The entire human race is characterized by sinful behavior. This practical atheism—living as if there is no God who will hold them accountable for their actions—makes them fools, for one of the earmarks of folly is to fail to anticipate the long range consequences of one’s behavior.
none of them does what is right. ▼
▼tn Heb “there is none that does good.”
2 God looks down from heaven ▼
▼sn The picture of the Lord looking down from heaven draws attention to his sovereignty over the world.
at the human race, ▼▼tn Heb “upon the sons of man.”
to see if there is anyone who is wise ▼
▼tn Or “acts wisely.” The Hiphil is exhibitive.
and seeks God. ▼▼tn That is, who seeks to have a relationship with God by obeying and worshiping him.
3 Everyone rejects God; ▼
they are all morally corrupt. ▼
▼tn Heb “together they are corrupt.”
None of them does what is right, ▼
▼tn Heb “there is none that does good.”
not even one!
4 All those who behave wickedly ▼ do not understand ▼ —
those who devour my people as if they were eating bread
and do not call out to God.
5 They are absolutely terrified, ▼
▼tn Heb “there they are afraid [with] fear.” The perfect verbal form is probably used in a rhetorical manner; the psalmist describes the future demise of the oppressors as if it were already occurring. The adverb שָׁם (sham, “there”) is also used here for dramatic effect, as the psalmist envisions the wicked standing in fear at a spot that is this vivid in his imagination (BDB 1027 s.v.). The cognate accusative following the verb emphasizes the degree of their terror (“absolutely”).
even by things that do not normally cause fear. ▼
For God annihilates ▼
▼tn Heb “scatters the bones.” The perfect is used in a rhetorical manner, describing this future judgment as if it were already accomplished. Scattering the bones alludes to the aftermath of a battle. God annihilates his enemies, leaving their carcasses spread all over the battlefield. As the bodies are devoured by wild animals and decay, the bones of God’s dead enemies are exposed. See Ps 141:7.
those who attack you. ▼ You are able to humiliate them because God has rejected them. ▼
▼tn Once again the perfect is used in a rhetorical manner, describing this future judgment as if it were already accomplished. As in the previous line, God’s people are probably addressed. The second person singular verb form is apparently collective, suggesting that the people are viewed here as a unified whole. Ps 14:6 reads here “the counsel of the oppressed you put to shame, even though God is his shelter,” the words being addressed to the wicked.
6 I wish the deliverance ▼
▼tn This refers metonymically to God, the one who lives in Zion and provides deliverance for Israel.
of Israel would come from Zion! When God restores the well-being of his people, ▼
▼tn Heb “turns with a turning [toward] his people.” The Hebrew term שְׁבוּת (shevut) is apparently a cognate accusative of שׁוּב (shuv).
may Jacob rejoice, ▼
▼tn The verb form is jussive.
may Israel be happy! ▼
▼tn Because the parallel verb is jussive, this verb, which is ambiguous in form, should be taken as a jussive as well.
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