---
title: "Clarke"
description: "The title, To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, an instructive Psalm of David. The word מחלת machalath, some translate the president; others, the master o"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/psalms/53"
---

The *title, To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, an instructive* *Psalm of David*. The word מחלת *machalath*, some translate the *president*; others, the *master* or *leader of the dance*; others, *hollow instruments*; others, *the chorus*. A *flute pipe*, or *wind* *instrument* with *holes*, appears to be what is intended. "To the chief player on the flute;" or, "To the master of the band of pipers."
Verse [Psalms 53:1](../../../kjv/psalms/53/1). ***The fool hath said in his heart*** — The whole of this Psalm, except a few inconsiderable differences, is the same as the *fourteenth*; and, therefore, the same *notes* and *analysis* may be applied to it; or, by referring to the *fourteenth*, the reader will find the subject of it amply explained. I shall add a few short notes.
***Have done abominable iniquity*** — Instead of עול *avel, evil* or *iniquity*, eight of *Kennicott's* and *De Rossi's* MSS. have עלילה *alilah, work*, which is nearly the same as in [Psalms 14:1](../../../kjv/psalms/14/1), &c.

Verse [Psalms 53:4](../../../kjv/psalms/53/4). ***Have the workers of iniquity*** — For פעלי, *poaley, workers* seventy-two of *Kennicott's* and *De Rossi's* MSS., with several ancient editions, the *Chaldee*, though not noticed in the Latin translation in the *London Polyglot*, the *Syriac, Vulgate,* *Septuagint, AEthiopic*, and the *Arabic*, with the *Anglo-Saxon*, add the word כל *col, all*, - ALL *the workers of iniquity*; which is the reading in the parallel place in [Psalms 14:3-4](../../../kjv/psalms/14/3-4). It may be necessary to observe, that the *Chaldee*, in the *Antwerp* and *Paris Polyglots*, and in that of *Justinianus*, has not the word כל *col, ALL*.
***Have not called upon God*** — אלהים *Elohim*; but many MSS. have יהוה *Jehovah*, LORD.

Verse [Psalms 53:5](../../../kjv/psalms/53/5). ***For God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth*****against*****thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath**********despised them.*** — The reader will see, on comparing this with the fifth and sixth verses of [Psalms 14:5-6](../../../kjv/psalms/14/5-6), that the words above are mostly *added* here to what is said *there*; and appear to be levelled against the *Babylonians*, who sacked and ruined Jerusalem, and who were now sacked and ruined in their turn. The sixth verse of [Psalms 14:6](../../../kjv/psalms/14/6), "Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his refuge," is added here by more than twenty of *Kennicott's* and *De Rossi's* MSS.

Verse [Psalms 53:6](../../../kjv/psalms/53/6). ***O that the salvation of Israel*****were come*****out of Zion!*** — I have already shown that the proper translation is, "Who shall give from Zion salvation to Israel?" The word *salvation* is in the *plural* here, *deliverances*: but many MSS., with the *Septuagint,* *Vulgate, Arabic*, and *Anglo-Saxon*, have it in the *singular*.
***When God bringeth back*** — *When Jehovah bringeth back*, is the reading of more than twenty of *Kennicott's* and *De Rossi's* MSS., with the *Septuagint, Syriac*, and *Chaldee*, and *Justinianus'* Polyglot Psalter.
For larger notes and an analysis, the reader is requested to refer to [Psalms 14:1](../../../kjv/psalms/14/1), c. ([note](#c19.14.7)) and for a comparison of the two Psalms he may consult Dr. *Kennicott's* Hebrew Bible, where, under [Psalms 14:1](../../../kjv/psalms/14/1), &c., in the lower margin, the variations are exhibited at one view.

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