Psalm 53

This psalm is another version of the one that appears in Book 1 as Psalm 14. David wrote it, and "mahalath"is a tune name. One interesting difference between this psalm and Psalm 14 is that this one contains the name Elohim whereas Psalm 14 has Yahweh.

David reflected on the wickedness of the entire human race and voiced confidence that God would punish sinners. He longed for God to establish His kingdom on earth (cf. Matt. 6:10).

 1. Reflection on the human race 53:1-3

53:1 A fool in the ancient Hebrew view of life was a person who did not acknowledge God's existence either intellectually or practically (cf. Rom. 1). He lived as though God does not exist. Such a viewpoint leads to unrestrained behavior. The fool's conduct is essentially corrupt and it is abominable to God (i.e., vile). No one is completely or consistently good because everyone disregards God from time to time.

53:2-3 David pictured God looking down from His heavenly habitation and examining human beings individually. Wise people acknowledge God's presence and pursue Him because He is the source of all goodness and blessing. Fools disregard Him and go their own way. God observed that everyone turns away from Him. The whole race has become sour like milk (Heb. alah; cf. 14:3; Job 15:16). When people do not use milk for its intended purpose, namely to drink, it turns sour. Likewise when people do not use their lives for their intended purpose, namely to honor and glorify God, they spoil. No one is completely good. Every individual has fallen short of this standard of perfection (cf. Rom. 3:10-12).

 2. Anticipation of judgment 53:4-5

53:4 David expressed amazement that those who disregard God would take advantage of His chosen people and would not even pray to Him.

53:4 The psalmist may have had some specific instance of God's deliverance in mind, or he may have spoken of His future judgment as having already taken place because of its certainty. God Himself would terrorize and shame His enemies. Evidently David saw God's people as playing some role in their enemies' defeat.

 3. Yearning for God's reign 53:6

David longed for the time when God would initiate salvation for Israel from Zion. When he wrote, Israel was at least partially under a hostile foreign power's control. The psalmist believed God would one day restore His people and cause them to rejoice. Because of other revelation, we know that when Jesus Christ comes back to reign He will reestablish Israel as His favored nation and will punish her enemies (cf. Ps. 2; Isa. 27:12; 43:5-7; Jer. 12:15; Ezek. 20:34-38, 42; 28:25-26; Dan. 7:13-14; Hos. 12:9; Joel 3:1; Amos 9:14-15; Mic. 4:6; Zeph. 3:20; Zech. 10:10).¹¹⁶

It is foolish to disregard God (cf. Prov. 1:7). Those who do so will experience present vanity in their lives and future judgment for their folly.