Psalms 53
53
The Wickedness of the World
For the Pure and Shining One
A contemplative song of instruction To the tune of “The Dancings of Mourning” # 53 Or “The Dance of Mourning.” This could have been a footnote to Ps. 52 instead of an inscription for Ps. 53. If so, read Ps. 52 and imagine the dancing that broke loose when David and his mighty men knew that Doeg had been judged by God for his murderous betrayal.
1Only the withering soul # 53:1 The word often translated as “fool” comes from a Hebrew word meaning “withering.” If we make no room for God, we have withered hearts (or souls), our moral sense of righteousness is put to sleep, and the noble aspirations of the heart shrivel up and die. Ps. 53 clearly speaks of the downfall of those who oppose Israel. Ps. 14 and Ps. 53 are very similar psalms. Ps. 14 deals with God’s verdict, while Ps. 53 speaks of God’s vengeance. If God says it once, it is to believed. If he says it twice, it demands our utmost attention! would say to himself,
“There’s no God for me!”
Anyone who thinks like that is corrupt and callous;
depraved and detestable, they are devoid of what is good.
2The Lord looks down in love, bending over heaven’s balcony.
God looks over all of Adam’s sons and daughters,
looking to see if there are any who are wise with insight—
any who search for him, wanting to please him.
3But no, all have wandered astray, walking stubbornly toward evil.
Not one is good; he can’t even find one!
4Look how they live in luxury while exploiting my people.
Won’t these workers of wickedness ever learn!
They never even think of praying to God.
5Soon, unheard-of terror will seize them while in their sins.
God himself will one day scatter the bones
of those who rose up against you. # 53:5 This could refer to the scattering of the armies of Sennacherib in the days of Hezekiah. See 2 Kings 18–19.
Doomed and rejected, they will be put to shame,
for God has despised them.
6Oh, I wish our time of rescue were already here.
Oh, that God would come forth now # 53:6 This is considered to be an ecphonesis, a rhetorical literary device that amplifies the emotion of the text. It is equivalent to an emotional outburst. Clearly, this is a passionate psalm. —
arising from the midst of his Zion-people
to save and restore his very own.
When God fully restores his people,
Jacob will rejoice, and Israel will be filled with gladness!
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Psalms 53: TPT
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