Mahalath 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. David describeth the atheism and corruption of men, &c. See Psalms 10:0; Psalms 14:0. read more
Where no fear was, i.e. where there was no great nor sufficient cause of fear. See Leviticus 26:36; Deuteronomy 28:65; Job 15:21; Proverbs 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. Hath scattered the bones; hath not only broken their bones, i.e. their strength and force, which is oft noted by the bones, as... read more
INTRODUCTIONAccording to the superscription this Psalm was composed by David and dedicated “To the Chief Musician;” to be used in public worship under his direction. The term “upon Mahalath” is variously interpreted. In the Geneva version it is rendered, “To him that excelleth on Mahalath;” which is explained in the margin to be “an instrument or kind of note.” “This expresses the opinions of most commentators. Aben Ezra understands by it the name of a melody to which the Psalm was sung. Calvin... read more
Psalms 53:1-2 There seems to be something intentionally emphatic about the charge against the atheist in the text, as though the wickedness of a man in saying, "There is no God," were lost in the folly of it, as though when David heard a man sneeringly remark that there was no God he forgot for a moment the man's sensuality and licentiousness in his astonishment at his weakness. I. Suppose a man to say absolutely, "There is no God," thus going beyond the heathen, as some few profess to have... read more
Mahalath Mahalath, apparently a temple choir. Maschil Maschil, "instruction." read more
Psalms 53:1-6 Psalms 53:1-6 is the same as Psalms 14:1-7 . These are similar psalms. There are about three places where psalms repeat themselves, not in total, such as... this is pretty much in total with Psalms 14:1-7 . In others, maybe three or four verses are repeated. But this the full psalm.The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God ( Psalms 53:1 ).Paul said, "When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful. Their foolish hearts were darkened. And... read more
This psalm, the same as the fourteenth, is repeated here, and was sung in plaintive strains when Sennacherib invaded Judea, as is affirmed by Origen, Theodoret, and others. Psalms 53:1 . The fool, the brutish, the sottish man, who sets up his judgment and pleasure above all law, and all religion. The being of a God is the foundation of all worship and obedience. Assuredly there is a Creator, a judge, a ruler of the whole earth. Psalms 53:4 . Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? We... read more
Psalms 53:1-3The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. The folly of unbeliefThere were Atheists in David’s days, practical Atheists at least, as there have been in all days, and probably ever will be, and the general bearing of this psalm teaches us pretty clearly the judgment which David formed of them. David at once goes off into a description of the abominably wicked lives of those who said so; the man who says there is no God is declared by David to be a fool, a man wanting in... read more
Psalms 53:2-3God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.Universal corruption of mankindThis is a description of human nature at all times (Romans 3:10-12).I. Seeking the Lord is here supposed to be the criterion of a good understanding. It includes--1. Our choosing the best good for our portion. God’s service is its own reward.2. Repentance for sin.3. The sacrifice of every earthly good for His sake, and accounting His... read more
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Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 53:1-6
LIII. See Psalms 14. read more