Psalms 53

This Psalm some few Words excepted is wholly the same with Psal. 14. and therefore the Reader must resort thither for the Interpretation of it. And it is repeated; Partly, because the matter of it is so important and necessary to be known and considered; and Partly, because there arose some new and suitable Occasion, which made David sing it a second time, and that with some small Alterations. And the Compiler or Compilers of David's Psalms, had so great a Reverence for their Composer, whom they knew to be guided by divine Inspiration, that they would not lose any of his Fragments, and therefore repeated this Psalm with the Variations which he had made. a This also seems to be the Name of a musical Instrument, or Tune; Wherein, as in the rest of them, it is better to Confess our Ignorance, as the Hebrew Doctors themselves do, than to give way to Vain and groundless Conjectures about them.

THe fool has said in his heart, There is no God: corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that does good.

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

Every one of them is gone back, they are altogether become filthy; there is none that does good, no not one.

Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread; they have not called upon God.

There were they in great fear, where no fear was (i. e.) Where there was no great nor sufficient Cause of Fear, See Levit. 26. 36. Deut. 28. 65. Iob 15. 21. Prov. 28. 1. They who designed to secure themselves, from all Fear and Danger by their Contempt of God, and by the Persecution of good Men, and by other wicked Courses, were by those means filled with the Terrors which they sought to avoid.: for God has scattered the bones Has not only broken their Bones, (i. e.) Their strength and force, which is oft noted by the Bones, as Psal. 6. 2. and 31. 10. and 51. 8. but also dispersed them hither and thither, so as there is no Hopes of a Re-union and Restauration. of him that encampeth against thee (i. e.) Against my People, expressed v. 4. or Israel, or Zion, as it is in the next Verse., thou Thou Oh Zion or Ierusalem, which they besiege. hast put them to shame For the great and strange disappointment of their Hopes and Confidence. It was a great Reproach to them, for such numerous and mighty Forces, to be baffled and Conquered by those whom they thought to swallow up at a Morsel., because God has despised them Or, Rejected them, Cursed them. Therefore it is no wonder if they could not stand before thee..

O that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion, when God bringeth back the captivity of his people Jacob shall rejoyce, and Israel shall be glad.