Bible Commentary

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength. 1. by thy name ] God’s name is the manifestation of His character, the sum of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 54:1”

Oh that the salvation of Israel [were come] out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad. 6. Concluding prayer for the full restoration of Israel. Some commentators have regarded this as a liturgical addition, but its presence in both recensions is in favour … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 53:6”

There were they in great fear, [where] no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth [against] thee: thou hast put [them] to shame, because God hath despised them. 5. There points to some signal instance in which panic terror and overwhelming calamity overtook the ‘workers of iniquity’ who came to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 53:5”

Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread: they have not called upon God. 4. God is the speaker. The first clause may be taken as in A.V., ‘Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge?’ Are they so ignorant that they cannot distinguish between right and wrong? … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 53:4”

Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one. 3. The result of His investigation. Every one of them had gone back (Psa 44:18) from following God (in Psa 14:3 turned aside from the path of right): together had they become tainted, a … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 53:3”

God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were [any] that did understand, that did seek God. 2. For a while God as it were overlooked the growing corruption. At length He ‘looked down’ (Psa 33:13-14). So in the yet simpler language of the Pentateuch He is said to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 53:2”

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. 1. The fool ] A class of men, not a particular individual. The word nbl here used for fool … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 53:1”

I will praise thee forever, because thou hast done [it]: and I will wait on thy name; for [it is] good before thy saints. 9. I will praise thee ] R.V., I will give thee thanks, “the sacrifice of thanksgiving,” Psa 50:23. because thou hast done it ] For this emphatic absolute use of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 52:9”

But I [am] like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever. 8. But I am like a green olive tree ] R.V., But as for me, I am like a green olive tree, rightly emphasising the contrast between the fate of the wicked … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 52:8”

Lo, [this is] the man [that] made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, [and] strengthened himself in his wickedness. 7. The words of the righteous. There is a touch of sarcasm in the use of the word geber (akin to gibbor, Psa 52:1) for man (as perhaps in Isa … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 52:7”