Catholic Commentary on Psalm 53

"God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." (Psalm 53:2)

The Second Version

Psalm 53 is almost identical to Psalm 14, with minor variations. The repetition is not an error. In the ancient world, the same psalm often appeared in different collections for different liturgical uses, sometimes with slight modifications. Where Psalm 14 uses the divine name Yahweh, Psalm 53 uses Elohim. This suggests it belonged to the Elohistic collection that favoured the more general divine name. Both psalms address the same reality: the universal corruption of humanity without the fear of God.

The fool says in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. The divine survey of the earth produces the same verdict as in Psalm 14: everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt, there is no one who does good, not even one. St. Paul incorporates this verdict into his argument in Romans 3 that all humanity stands under the same condemnation and all need the same salvation.

The Longing for Salvation

The ending of Psalm 53 carries an intensity that makes the repetition worthwhile: Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! The universal diagnosis of corruption creates a longing: where is the salvation that can address this condition? The answer that the New Testament provides is the one whom Psalm 53 cannot yet name but clearly needs: the one who comes from Zion, who is himself the salvation for Israel and for all humanity.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, Psalm 53 repeats the hard truth because it needs to be heard more than once: the corruption of humanity without the fear of God is universal, thorough, and our starting point. We are not basically good people who need a little help. We are fallen people who need a Saviour. That is not pessimism. It is the beginning of the Gospel. When you know the diagnosis, the medicine makes sense.

Prayer

Lord God, you look down from heaven seeking those who understand and seek you. Let us be found seeking. Restore your people. Let salvation come from Zion. Through Christ our Lord, who is himself the salvation we could not provide for ourselves. Amen.

53
The Fool Says There Is No God
(Psalms 14:1–7; Isaiah 59:1–17; Romans 3:9–20)
For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath.* 53:0 Mahalath is probably a musical or liturgical term; see also Psalms 88:1. A Maskil † 53:0 Maskil is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 32, 42, 44–45, 52–55, 74, 78, 88–89, and 142. of David.
 
1 The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
 
They are corrupt; their ways are vile.
There is no one who does good.
 
2 God looks down from heaven
upon the sons of men
to see if any understand,
if any seek God.
3 All have turned away,
they have together become corrupt;‡ 53:3 LXX worthless
there is no one who does good,
not even one.§ 53:3 Cited in Romans 3:10–12
 
4 Will the workers of iniquity never learn?
 
They devour my people like bread;
they refuse to call upon God.
5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread,
where there was nothing to fear.
For God has scattered the bones
of those who besieged you.
You put them to shame,
for God has despised them.
 
6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion!
 
When God restores His captive people,* 53:6 Or the fortunes of His people
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad!

*^ 53:0 Mahalath is probably a musical or liturgical term; see also Psalms 88:1.

†^ 53:0 Maskil is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 32, 42, 44–45, 52–55, 74, 78, 88–89, and 142.

‡53:3 53:3 LXX worthless

§53:3 53:3 Cited in Romans 3:10–12

*53:6 53:6 Or the fortunes of His people

Public Domain