Table of Contents
Psalm 53
Psalm 53
1 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.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
5 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.
6 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.
Notes
Cross Reference
Concordance
Commentary
Rashi
Verse 1
<html><b>on machalath</b> The name of a musical instrument. Another explanation: concerning the malady (מחלתן) of Israel when the Temple will be destroyed. He already recited another psalm resembling this one (above 14): “The fool said in his heart, ‘there is no God, etc.’ “, One relates to the destruction of the First Temple and this one, to the Second Temple.</html>
Verse 2
<html><b>The fool said in his heart</b> This is Titus; when he cut into the curtain and his sword was dripping with blood, he said that he had killed [God] Himself.</html>
Verse 4
<html><b>dross</b> Heb. סג, an expression of סיגים, dross. <b>not even one</b> of all his armies will protest against his deeds.</html>
Verse 5
<html><b>Did not</b> Should not those who devour My people like a meal of bread, and who did not call upon the Lord, know that ultimately they will experience there a great fear at the end of days?</html>
Verse 6
<html><b>there was never such fear</b> This fear was not like the first fear that came over Belshazzar, for in this redemption the Holy One, blessed be He, scattered the bones of חוֹנָךְ, those who camp around you, Jerusalem, as the matter that is stated (Zech. 14:12): “His flesh will waste away, etc.” Menachem (p. 91) interpreted it that way, but Dunash (pp. 63f.) interpreted it as (Prov. 22:6): “Train (חנך) a child according to his way”; the “chaph” of חוֹנָךְ is a radical as the “chaph” of חֲנֹךְ, train. <b>You have put them to shame</b> You, O Lord, have put all my enemies to shame, for You have rejected them.</html>