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).
