King James Version
What Does Psalms 53:1 Mean?
“To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. 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.”
Context
1
To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. 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.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(1) **And.**—The conjunction is wanting in Psalm 14:1.
**Iniquity.**—Instead of the general term, “doings,” in Psalms 14, as if the adapter of the Psalm felt that a word applicable to good as well as evil was not strong enough to express the hideousness of the profanity.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Psalms 53:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Psalms 53:1
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge