Bible/Psalms/53

Psalms 53:1

To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

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For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Mahalath.” A contemplation by David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity. There is no one who does good.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that does good.

53:2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

What does Psalms 53:1 mean?

Psalms 53:1 is a verse in the book of Psalms, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include נָצַח (nâtsach), מַחֲלַת (machălath), מַשְׂכִּיל (maskîyl). It connects to 11 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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To
the
chief
Musicianנָצַחnâtsach/naw-tsakh'/H5329properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
upon
Mahalath,מַחֲלַתmachălath/makh-al-ath'/H4257'Machalath', probably the title (initial word) of a popular song
Maschil,מַשְׂכִּילmaskîyl/mas-keel'/H4905instructive, i.e. a didactic poem
A
Psalm
of
David.דָּוִדDâvid/daw-veed'/H1732David, the youngest son of Jesse
The
foolנָבָלnâbâl/naw-bawl'/H5036stupid; wicked (especially impious)
hath
saidאָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)
in
his
heart,לֵבlêb/labe/H3820the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
There
is
no
God.אֱלֹהִיםʼĕlôhîym/el-o-heem'/H430gods 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
Corruptשָׁחַתshâchath/shaw-khath'/H7843to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
are
they,
and
have
done
abominableתַּעָבtaʻâb/taw-ab'/H8581to loathe, i.e. (morally) detest
iniquity:עֶוֶלʻevel/eh'-vel/H5766(moral) evil
there
is
none
that
doethעָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
good.טוֹבṭôwb/tobe/H2896good (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)

Commentary on Psalms 53:1

HENRY_FULL · Psalms 53:1
ons ( 2 Sam. viii. ), and the rest which God gave him from all his enemies round about. We are here taught, I. To take comfort in God when things look very black and threatening, ver. 1-5 . II. To mention, to his praise, the great things he had wrought for his church against its enemies, ver. 6-9 . III. To assure ourselves that God who has glorified his own name will glorify it yet again, and to comfort ourselves with that, ver. 10, 11 . We may, in singing it, apply it either to our spiritual enemies, and be more than conquerors over them, or to the public enemies of Christ's kingdom in the world and their threatening insults, endeavouring to preserve a holy security and serenity of mind when they seem most formidable. It is said of Luther that, when he heard any discouraging news, he would say, Come let us sing the forty-sixth psalm. God the Protection of His People. 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof r

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Genesis 7:11

In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened. windows: or, floodgates

Genesis 7:12

And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.

Psalms 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psalms 27:3

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Matthew 8:24

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

Matthew 21:21

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Luke 21:9

But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.

Luke 21:25

And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

Luke 21:33

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Hebrews 13:6

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

2 Peter 3:10

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Topics

Depravity of ManPsalmsSkepticismWicked

People & places in this verse

People

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Psalms 53:1.

Genesis 1:11

And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. grass: Heb. tender grass

Genesis 1:14

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: the day: Heb. between the day and between the night

Genesis 1:20

And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. moving: or, creeping life: Heb. soul fowl: Heb. let fowl fly open: Heb. face of the firmament of heaven

Genesis 1:22

And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

Genesis 1:24

And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

Genesis 1:26

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Genesis 1:28

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. moveth: Heb. creepeth

Genesis 1:29

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. bearing: Heb. seeding seed yielding: Heb. seeding seed

Frequently asked questions

What does Psalms 53:1 say?

Psalms 53:1 (King James Version) reads: "To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good."

Is Psalms 53:1 in the Old or New Testament?

Psalms 53:1 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Psalms.

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