Psalms 53
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The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
Public Domain KJV text from Wordproject.org
Psalm 53:1-6
There Is None Who Does Good
To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.
1The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity;
there is none who does good.
2God looks down from heaven
on the children of man
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.
3They have all fallen away;
together they have become corrupt;
there is none who does good,
not even one.
4Have those who work evil no knowledge,
who eat up my people as they eat bread,
and do not call upon God?
5There they are, in great terror,
where there is no terror!
For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you;
you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
6Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
ESV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Psalm 53:1-6
Psalm 53
For the director of music. According to mahalath. A maskil of David.
1The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
there is no one who does good.
2God looks down from heaven
on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
3Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.
4Do all these evildoers know nothing?
They devour my people as though eating bread;
they never call on God.
5But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
where there was nothing to dread.
God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;
you put them to shame, for God despised them.
6Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
NIV Bible text displayed through the American Bible Society's Global Bible Widget
Commentary
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”
David begins this song with a statement of amazement - only a fool could believe there is no God. He goes on to tell how those who have turned away from God have become corrupt. God has had to put them to shame because of the great wickedness they have embraced. Where there was once no fear, they have created such an environment that now they themselves are in great fear. Again, David expresses amazement - Do they not know God? Why do they not call on Him? God has not forgotten these who have turned away, though. He looks down from heaven to find those who seek Him. He longs to bring salvation and joy to any who are interested.
This Psalm is very real today. There are a lot of people who believe there is no Creator, no Redeemer, no Hope beyond the grave. For such a person, the fear and hopelessness in life is very real. Let’s not only embrace the True God that we worship, but pray for wisdom to share Him with those who do not know Him.
Lisa Ward
Clerk, Country Life Seventh-day Adventist Church
Cleburne, Texas USA
