The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 53:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

THIs psalm is a repetition of Psalms 45:1-17; with certain not very important variations. The most remarkable is the substitution throughout of" Elohim" for "Jehovah." The only variations which alter the sense are in Psalms 45:5. These cannot be accounted for by corruption, and seem to indicate a retouching of the original composition in order to adapt it to a special occasion.

The expression, "upon Mahalath," or, "set to Mahalath," in the title, is thought to be a musical direction, and is explained by Dr. Kay as equivalent to the modern Maestoso.

Psalms 53:1 and Psalms 53:2

are identical with the same verses of Psalms 14:1-7; with the single exception that "Jehovah "is replaced by" Elohim," as the first word of Psalms 14:2.

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 53:1-6Psalms 53:1-6 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThis 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…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 53:1-6This 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…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 53:3For "they are all gone aside" ( הכּל סר) in Psalms 14:1-7; the present psalm has, "every one of them is gone back" ( לּכּוֹ סג)—a difference which may be due to corruption, and which is, at any rate, of no importance.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 53:4For "the workers of iniquity" in this verse, Psalms 14:1-7. has "all the workers of iniquity "—a difference wholly unimportant.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 53:5There were they in great fear, where no fear was. So long a phrase as "where no fear was" ( לא־היה כּחד) can scarcely have "fallen out," and must have been added intentionally to mark that, on the occasion in connection…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 53:6This verse is identical with Psalms 14:7, except in the substitution of "Elohim" for "Jehovah," and in the pointing of one word. HOMILIES BY W. FORSYTH Psalms 53:1, Psalms 53:2 Atheism contrasted with godliness. I. ATHE…Joseph S. Exell and contributors