There is a remarkable resemblance between this psalm and Psalms 14:1. Both are ascribed to the same author, David; and each pursues the same line of thought - the folly and wickedness of Atheism. They both show that the belief that there is no God is not a harmless idea, or a mere speculation, but t... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FOOL HATH SAID IN HIS HEART ... - For the meaning of this verse, see the notes at Psalms 14:1. The only change in this verse - a change which does not affect the sense - is the substitution of the word “iniquity,” in Psalms 53:1, for “works,” in Psalms 14:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD LOOKED DOWN FROM HEAVEN ... - See the notes at Psalms 14:2. The only change which occurs in this verse is the substitution of the word אלהים _'Elohiym_, rendered “God,” for “Yahweh,” rendered Lord, in Psalms 14:2. The same change occurs also in Psalms 14:4, Psalms 14:6. It is to be observed, als... [ Continue Reading ]
EVERY ONE OF THEM IS GONE BACK - See the notes at Psalms 14:3. The only variation here in the two psalms is in the substitution of the word - סג _sâg_, for סור _sûr_ - words almost identical in form and in sense. The only difference in meaning is, that the former word - the word used here - means... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY NO KNOWLEDGE? - See the notes at Psalms 14:4. The only change in this verse is in the omission of the word “all.” This word, as it occurs in Psalms 14:1 (“all the workers of iniquity”), makes the sentence stronger and more emphatic. It is designed to affirm in the most a... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WERE THEY IN GREAT FEAR ... - Margin, as in Hebrew, “they feared a fear.” For the general meaning of the verse, see the notes at Psalms 14:5. There is, however, an important change introduced here - the most important in the psalm. The general sentiment of two verses Psalms 14:5 in Psalms 14:1... [ Continue Reading ]
OH THAT THE SALVATION OF ISRAEL ... - The only change here from Psalms 14:7 is that the word אלהים _'Elohiym_, God, is substituted for “Jehovah,” Lord, and that the word rendered “salvation” is here in the plural. On the supposition that the psalm was adapted to a state of things when the city had b... [ Continue Reading ]