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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• 1<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (Psa. 14:1)
,etc.
r
Gen. 6:5,10• 5And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
 10And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Gen. 6:5,10)
t
Eph. 5:12• 12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. (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• 1<<A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite.>> O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee: (Psa. 88:1)
;
Psa. 88•  (Psa. 88)
:*title
fool.
Psa. 14:1‑7• 1<<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
 2The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
 3They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
 4Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the Lord.
 5There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.
 6Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge.
 7Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the Lord bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. (Psa. 14:1‑7)
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Psa. 92:6• 6A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this. (Psa. 92:6)
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Matt. 5:22• 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (Matt. 5:22)
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Luke 12:20• 20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (Luke 12:20)
said.
Psa. 10:4,6,11,13• 4The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
 6He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.
 11He hath said 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 that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (Rom. 1:21,28)
Corrupt.
Gen. 6:5‑6,11‑13• 5And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
 6And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
 11The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
 12And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
 13And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with 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 thing out of an unclean? not one. (Job 14:4)
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Job 15:16• 16How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water? (Job 15:16)
have done.
Lev. 18:24‑30• 24Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:
 25And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
 26Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:
 27(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)
 28That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.
 29For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.
 30Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God. (Lev. 18:24‑30)
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Deut. 12:31• 31Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt 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: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord cast out before the children of Israel. (1 Kings 14:24)
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Ezek. 16:47,51• 47Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways.
 51Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy sins; but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they, and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done. (Ezek. 16:47,51)
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Eph. 5:12• 12For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. (Eph. 5:12)
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1 Peter 4:3• 3For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: (1 Peter 4:3)
there is.
Rom. 3:10‑31• 10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
 11There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
 12They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
 13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
 14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
 15Their feet are swift to shed blood:
 16Destruction and misery are in their ways:
 17And the way of peace have they not known:
 18There is no fear of God before their eyes.
 19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
 21But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
 22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that 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 that is in Christ Jesus:
 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
 26To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
 27Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
 28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
 29Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
 30Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
 31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the 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.