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Psalms 53

Psalms53

New International Version

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1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

4 Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on God.

5 But 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.

6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

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Psalms 53

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 53. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The corruption of man by nature. (1-6).

vv1-6

This psalm is almost the same as the 14th. The scope of it is to convince us of our sins. God, by the psalmist, here shows us how bad we are, and proves this by his own certain knowledge. He speaks terror to persecutors, the worst of sinners. He speaks encouragement to God's persecuted people. How comes it that men are so bad? Because there is no fear of God before their eyes. Men's bad practices flow from their bad principles; if they profess to know God, yet in works, because in thoughts, they deny him. See the folly of sin; he is a fool, in the account of God, whose judgment we are sure is right, that harbours such corrupt thoughts. And see the fruit of sin; to what it brings men, when their hearts are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. See also the faith of the saints, and their hope and power as to the cure of this great evil. There will come a Saviour, a great salvation, a salvation from sin. God will save his church from its enemies. He will save all believers from their own sins, that they may not be led captive by them, which will be everlasting joy to them. From this work the Redeemer had his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins, Mt 1:21.

Cross References

Psalms 53
v1Psalms 14:1-7thematic

This psalm is a nearly identical parallel or repetition of Psalm 14, with slight verbal changes.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB

v1Romans 3:10-31quotation

Paul quotes verses 1-3 extensively in Romans 3 to prove the universal depravity of mankind.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v5Leviticus 26:36thematic

Illustrates being in "great fear where no fear was" due to a faint heart and sound of shaken leaf.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v5Proverbs 28:1thematic

The wicked flee when no man pursueth, matching the terror of those in fear without cause.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v5Job 15:21thematic

A dreadful sound is in his ears; wicked men are chased by terrors they sought to avoid.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v5Psalms 141:7allusion

Parallels the descriptive imagery of bones being scattered at the grave's mouth.

Supported by JFB

v1Psalms 10:4thematic

Parallels the proud, practical atheism of the wicked who say there is no God.

Supported by Matthew Henry

Describes the trembling heart and constant, baseless fear of those under divine judgment.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v4Micah 3:2thematic

Vividly depicts cruel oppressors literally eating up God's people like bread.

Supported by John Calvin