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Bible Commentaries
Psalms 53

Bullinger's Companion Bible NotesBullinger's Companion Notes

Verse 1

Title. Maschil = Instruction (the sixth of thirteen Psalms so named. See note on Title, Psalms 32:0 , and App-65 , as to the faction of the Tyrant of Psalms 52:0 . This Psalm for public use. See note at end. Hence Elohim ( App-4 ), the Creator in relation to His creatures. A partial repetition of Psalms 14:0 , which was not for public use (as Psalms 53:0 was); therefore Jehovah (David's God) there, and Elohim (the creature's Creator) here.

fool. May not this refer to Nabal? God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . I. Seven times in this Psalm. In Psalms 14:0 three times Elohim, and four timesJehovah. Elohim more characteristic of the second (or Exodus) book.

iniquity. In Psalms 14:0 , Hebrew 'alilah = doing; here, 'aval = deceit. App-44 . There is none, &c. Quoted in Romans 3:1-12 .

Verse 3

God. Hebrew 'eth 'Elohim (Objective). App-4 . Note the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ), by which this verse is marked off as containing universal instruction, beginning and ending with the same word "God".

children of men = sons of Adam. App-14 .

that did understand. Hebrew. Maschil. See note on Title.

Verse 4

the workers. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "all the workers".

iniquity. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .

Verse 5

For God hath scattered. This is an addition to Psalms 14:0 .

despised them. Here, the wicked are in question. In Psalms 14:5 , the righteous.

Verse 6

Oh. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6 .

salvation = great salvation, plural of majesty. But some codices, with Septuagint and Syriac, read singular.

Zion. See App-68 .

God. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "Jehovah".

Jacob . . . Israel: i.e. both natural and spiritual seed. See notes on Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 . To the chief Musician. This Psalm was edited for public use; hence the title Elohim. See notes above.

on = relating to.

Neginoth = smitings: referring to God's smitings with words and acts. See Psalms 53:5 , which differs from Psalms 14:5-6 . See App-65 .

Bibliographical Information
Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Psalms 53". "Bullinger's Companion bible Notes". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bul/psalms-53.html. 1909-1922.
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