Psalm 53

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This article is about Psalm 53 in Hebrew (Masoretic) numbering. For Psalm 53 in Greek Septuagint or Latin Vulgate numbering, see Psalm 54.
Psalm 53
Psalm 52, Dixit insipiens in corde suo, non est deus, David and Abigail - Psalter of Eleanor of Aquitaine (ca. 1185) - KB 76 F 13, folium 075r.jpg
Psalm 53 (Psalm 52 Vulgate), Dixit insipiens in corde suo, non est deus, David and Abigail - Psalter of Eleanor of Aquitaine (ca. 1185) - KB 76 F 13, folium 075r
BookBook of Psalms
Hebrew Bible partKetuvim
Order in the Hebrew part1
CategorySifrei Emet
Christian Bible partOld Testament
Order in the Christian part19

Psalm 53 is the 53rd psalm from the Book of Psalms. It is described as a maskil or "contemplation of David".[1] In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 52.

Content[]

This psalm is the Elohistic Psalter's (Pss. 42–83) version of Psalm 14,[2] and nearly identical to it. The medieval exegete Rashi understood Psalm 14 to refer to the destruction of the First Temple; this version, he thought, refers to the destruction of the Second Temple.[3] Modern interpreters, following Hermann Gunkel's form criticism, classify this psalm as a lament.[4]

There are two differences between Psalms 14 and 53, the name of God used being the first. Psalm 14 uses the covenant name of God, YHWH, typical of the Psalms in book 1 of Psalms (Psalms 1 through 41). Psalm 53 uses Elohim, typical of the Psalms in Book 2 (Psalms 42 through 72). Second, there is reference to "a refuge for the poor" in Psalm 14:6, which is missing from Psalm 53.

Uses[]

New Testament[]

Verses 1–3 are quoted by Paul in Romans 3:10–12,[5] where he argues that Jews and Gentiles are equally in need of God's grace. Since this Psalm and Psalm 14 are nearly identical, it is difficult to tell which one is quoted.

Book of Common Prayer[]

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the tenth day of the month.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ Sub-heading to Psalm 52 in the New King James Version
  2. ^ Jewish Publication Society (2014), "Psalms" (note on Psalm 53) in Adele Berlin and Marc Zvi Brettler (eds.), The Jewish Study Bible (second edition). New York: Oxford University Press, p. 1341
  3. ^ The Artscroll Tehillim, p. 110
  4. ^ "Out of the Depths: The Psalms Speak for us Today" by Bernhard W. Anderson and Steven Bishop, Westminster John Knox Press, 2000, p. 221
  5. ^ Kirkpatrick, A. F. (1901). The Book of Psalms: with Introduction and Notes. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Vol. Book IV and V: Psalms XC–CL. Cambridge: At the University Press. p. 839. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  6. ^ Church of England, Book of Common Prayer: The Psalter as printed by John Baskerville in 1762, pp. 196ff

External links[]

  • Psalm 53 in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre
  • Psalm 53 King James Bible - Wikisource
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