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.

Commentary

Verse 1

McArther Bible Commentary
This psalm is nearly identical to Psalm 14 (Psa 53:1-5 is from Psa 14:1-5; Psa 53:6 is from Psa 4:7). The major difference is verse Psa 53:5, in which the psalmist celebrates a military victory over an enemy. Apparently, Psalm 14 is here rephrased to apply to a specified war event, earning it a distinct place in the canon. Title: Mahalath. The name of a tune or an instrument.
Bible Cross References
Romans 3:10 Psalm 10:4 Psalm 14:1 Psalm 74:18 Psalm 74:22

Verse 2

McArther Bible Commentary
God. The reference to "God" rather than "Lord" is another difference between Psalm 14 and 53. "Elohim" is used three times in Psalm 14, but seven times in Psalm 53.
Bible Cross References
Romans 3:11 2 Chronicles 15:2 Psalm 102:19

Verse 3

Bible Cross References
Romans 3:12 Psalm 58:3

Verse 4

Bible Cross References
Psalm 59:2 Psalm 79:6 Psalm 79:7 Jeremiah 4:22 Micah 3:2

Verse 5

McArther Bible Commentary
in great fear. The verse describes a sudden reversal in the fortunes of war. The haughty enemy besieging Israel was suddenly terrified and utterly defeated. Historical examples of such unexpected terrors to Israel's enemy are recorded in 2 Chronicles 20 and Isaiah 37. scattered the bones. Perhaps nothing was more disgraceful to a nation at war than to have the bones of its dead army scattered over the land rather than buried.
Bible Cross References
Leviticus 26:17 Leviticus 26:36 2 Kings 17:20 Psalm 44:7 Psalm 141:7 Proverbs 28:1 Jeremiah 6:30 Jeremiah 8:1 Jeremiah 8:2 Lamentations 5:22 Ezekiel 6:5

Verse 6

Bible Cross References
Psalm 14:7 Jeremiah 30:3 Amos 9:14