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Psalm 53

Psa. 53:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
<<To the chief Musician
natsach (Hebrew #5329)
properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); also (as denominative from 5331), to be permanent
KJV usage: excel, chief musician (singer), oversee(-r), set forward.
Pronounce: naw-tsakh'
Origin: a primitive root
upon Mahalath
machalath (Hebrew #4257)
sickness; Machalath, probably the title (initial word) of a popular song
KJV usage: Mahalath.
Pronounce: makh-al-ath'
Origin: from 2470
, Maschil
maskiyl (Hebrew #4905)
instructive, i.e. a didactic poem
KJV usage: Maschil.
Pronounce: mas-keel'
Origin: from 7919
, A Psalm of David
David (Hebrew #1732)
Daviyd {daw-veed'}; from the same as 1730; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse
KJV usage: David.
Pronounce: daw-veed'
Origin: rarely (fully)
.>> Theq fool
nabal (Hebrew #5036)
stupid; wicked (especially impious)
KJV usage: fool(-ish, -ish man, -ish woman), vile person.
Pronounce: naw-bawl'
Origin: from 5034
hath said
'amar (Hebrew #559)
to say (used with great latitude)
KJV usage: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech), utter, X verily, X yet.
Pronounce: aw-mar'
Origin: a primitive root
in his heart
leb (Hebrew #3820)
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
KJV usage: + care for, comfortably, consent, X considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart((-ed)), X heed, X I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), X regard((-ed)), X themselves, X unawares, understanding, X well, willingly, wisdom.
Pronounce: labe
Origin: a form of 3824
, There is no God
'elohiym (Hebrew #430)
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
KJV usage: angels, X exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.
Pronounce: el-o-heem'
Origin: plural of 433
. Corrupt
shachath (Hebrew #7843)
to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, X utterly, waste(-r).
Pronounce: shaw-khath'
Origin: a primitive root
r are they, and have donet abominable
ta`ab (Hebrew #8581)
to loathe, i.e. (morally) detest
KJV usage: (make to be) abhor(-red), (be, commit more, do) abominable(-y), X utterly.
Pronounce: taw-ab'
Origin: a primitive root
iniquity
`evel (Hebrew #5766)
and (feminine) lavlah {av-law'}; or owlah {o-law'}; or .olah {o-law'}; from 5765; (moral) evil
KJV usage: iniquity, perverseness, unjust(-ly), unrighteousness(-ly); wicked(-ness).
Pronounce: eh'-vel
Origin: or lavel {aw'-vel}
: there is none that doeth
`asah (Hebrew #6213)
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application (as follows)
KJV usage: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, + finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin, spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be (warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.
Pronounce: aw-saw'
Origin: a primitive root
good
towb (Hebrew #2896)
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well)
KJV usage: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well ((-favoured)).
Pronounce: tobe
Origin: from 2895
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q
Psa. 14:1• 1To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They have corrupted themselves, they have done abominable works: there is none that doeth good. (Psa. 14:1)
,etc.
r
Gen. 6:5,10• 5And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of Man was great on the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart only evil continually.
 10And Noah begot three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Gen. 6:5,10)
t
Eph. 5:12• 12for the things that are done by them in secret it is shameful even to say. (Eph. 5:12)

More on:

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David,
God,
Heart,
Mahalath,
Maschil,
Music; Musicians; Musical Instruments,
Psalms

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-3:  David describes the corruption of a natural man.
4-5:  He convinces the wicked by the light of their own conscience.
6:  He glories in the salvation of God.
A.M. cir. 3464.
B.C. cir. 540.
(Title.)
Mahalath.
Psa. 88:1• 1A Song, a Psalm for the sons of Korah. To the chief Musician. Upon Mahalath Leannoth. An instruction. Of Heman the Ezrahite. Jehovah, God of my salvation, I have cried by day and in the night before thee. (Psa. 88:1)
;
Psa. 88•  (Psa. 88)
:*title
fool.
Psa. 14:1‑7• 1To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They have corrupted themselves, they have done abominable works: there is none that doeth good.
 2Jehovah looked down from the heavens upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
 3They have all gone aside, they are together become corrupt: there is none that doeth good, not even one.
 4Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, eating up my people as they eat bread? They call not upon Jehovah.
 5There were they in great fear; for God is in the generation of the righteous.
 6Ye have shamed the counsel of the afflicted, because Jehovah was his refuge.
 7Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When Jehovah turneth again the captivity of his people, Jacob shall be glad, Israel shall rejoice. (Psa. 14:1‑7)
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Psa. 92:6• 6A brutish man knoweth not, neither doth a fool understand it. (Psa. 92:6)
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Matt. 5:22• 22But *I* say unto you, that every one that is lightly angry with his brother shall be subject to the judgment; but whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be subject to be called before the sanhedrim; but whosoever shall say, Fool, shall be subject to the penalty of the hell of fire. (Matt. 5:22)
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Luke 12:20• 20But God said to him, Fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; and whose shall be what thou hast prepared? (Luke 12:20)
said.
Psa. 10:4,6,11,13• 4The wicked saith, in the haughtiness of his countenance, He doth not search out: all his thoughts are, There is no God!
 6He saith in his heart, I shall not be moved; from generation to generation I shall be in no adversity.
 11He saith in his heart, *God hath forgotten, he hideth his face, he will never see it.
 13Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? He hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it. (Psa. 10:4,6,11,13)
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1 Kings 12:26• 26And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David. (1 Kings 12:26)
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Rom. 1:21,28• 21Because, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but fell into folly in their thoughts, and their heart without understanding was darkened:
 28And according as they did not think good to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind to practise unseemly things; (Rom. 1:21,28)
Corrupt.
Gen. 6:5‑6,11‑13• 5And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of Man was great on the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart only evil continually.
 6And Jehovah repented that he had made Man on the earth, and it grieved him in his heart.
 11And the earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was full of violence.
 12And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted its way on the earth.
 13And God said to Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me, for the earth is full of violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (Gen. 6:5‑6,11‑13)
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Job 14:4• 4Who can bring a clean man out of the unclean? Not one! (Job 14:4)
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Job 15:16• 16How much less the abominable and corrupt,--man, that drinketh unrighteousness like water! (Job 15:16)
have done.
Lev. 18:24‑30• 24Make not yourselves unclean in any of these things; for in all these have the nations which I am casting out before you made themselves unclean.
 25And the land hath become unclean; and I visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land vomiteth out its inhabitants.
 26But *ye* shall observe my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of all these abominations: the home-born, and the stranger that sojourneth among you;
 27(for all these abominations have the men of the land done, who were before you, and the land hath been made unclean);
 28that the land vomit you not out, when ye make it unclean, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.
 29For whoever committeth any of these abominations, … the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.
 30And ye shall observe my charge, that ye commit not any of the abominable customs which were committed before you; and ye shall not make yourselves unclean therein: I am Jehovah your God. (Lev. 18:24‑30)
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Deut. 12:31• 31Thou shalt not do so to Jehovah thy God; for every thing that is abomination to Jehovah, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters have they burned in the fire to their gods. (Deut. 12:31)
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1 Kings 14:24• 24and there were also sodomites in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations that Jehovah had dispossessed before the children of Israel. (1 Kings 14:24)
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Ezek. 16:47,51• 47And thou hast not walked in their ways, nor done according to their abominations; but as though that were a very little, thou hast been more corrupt than they in all thy ways.
 51And Samaria hath not sinned according to the half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters by all thine abominations which thou hast done. (Ezek. 16:47,51)
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Eph. 5:12• 12for the things that are done by them in secret it is shameful even to say. (Eph. 5:12)
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1 Peter 4:3• 3For the time past is sufficient for us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, walking in lasciviousness, lusts, wine-drinking, revels, drinkings, and unhallowed idolatries. (1 Peter 4:3)
there is.
Rom. 3:10‑31• 10according as it is written, There is not a righteous man, not even one;
 11there is not the man that understands, there is not one that seeks after God.
 12All have gone out of the way, they have together become unprofitable; there is not one that practises goodness, there is not so much as one:
 13their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; asps' poison is under their lips:
 14whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness;
 15swift their feet to shed blood;
 16ruin and misery are in their ways,
 17and way of peace they have not known:
 18there is no fear of God before their eyes.
 19Now we know that whatever the things the law says, it speaks to those under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world be under judgment to God.
 20Wherefore by works of law no flesh shall be justified before him; for by law is knowledge of sin.
 21But now without law righteousness of God is manifested, borne witness to by the law and the prophets;
 22righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ towards all, and upon all those who believe: for there is no difference;
 23for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
 24being justified freely by his grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
 25whom God has set forth a mercy-seat, through faith in his blood, for the shewing forth of his righteousness, in respect of the passing by the sins that had taken place before, through the forbearance of God;
 26for the shewing forth of his righteousness in the present time, so that he should be just, and justify him that is of the faith of Jesus.
 27Where then is boasting? It has been excluded. By what law? of works? Nay, but by law of faith;
 28for we reckon that a man is justified by faith, without works of law.
 29Is God the God of Jews only? is he not of the nations also? Yea, of nations also:
 30since indeed it is one God who shall justify the circumcision on the principle of faith, and uncircumcision by faith.
 31Do we then make void law by faith? Far be the thought: no, but we establish law. (Rom. 3:10‑31)
• Book 2, Series 2. The Great Tribulation. (““The Placement of the Psalms in Prophecy”” by B. Anstey)
• Here it is the case that the conscience takes no notice of God. The heart has no desire after Him, and the will works as if there were none. He says so in his heart. Why should he say it? Because his conscience tells him there is one. His will would not have one; and as He is not seen in His workings, will sees only what it will. God is set aside, and the whole conduct is under the will's influence, as if no God existed. (“Practical Reflections on the Psalms: Psalms 49-54” by J.N. Darby)
• The antichrist of the last day, in whom “the fool” will have the most extreme expression, will deny God, opposing, exalting himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped (2 Thess. 2:4). He will gather round him followers marked by corruption and abominable deeds. (“Psalms 53” by H. Smith)
• Scattered in the land and among the Gentiles (Ps. 55:6-7, 9, 14, Ps. 56:8, Ps. 57:9, etc.) the remnant view the current of apostasy growing among men. They observe that the children of men have thrown off all recognition of God. (“Book 2.” by B. Anstey)
• Psalm 14 is quite like this psalm. The difference being that Psalm 14 is more a description of the Jewish fool whereas Psalm 53 is more the Gentile fool. (“Book 2.” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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To the chief Musician. On Mahalatha: an instruction. Of David. The foolb hath said in his heart, There is no God! They have corrupted themselves, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

JND Translation Notes

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a
The meaning is uncertain.
b
As Ps. 14.1. see Notes, 1 Sam. 25.3,25.