Psalm 53:2-4

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Psalm 53:2 sn The picture of the Lord looking down from heaven draws attention to his sovereignty over the world.
2. Psalm 53:2 tn Heb “upon the sons of man.”
3. Psalm 53:2 tn Or “acts wisely.” The Hiphil is exhibitive.
4. Psalm 53:2 tn That is, who seeks to have a relationship with God by obeying and worshiping him.
5. Psalm 53:3 tn Heb “all of it turns away.” Ps 14:1 has הָכֹּל (hakkol, “the whole/all”) instead of כֻּלּוֹ (kullo, “all of it”) and סָר (sar, “turn aside”) instead of סָג (sag, “turn away”).
6. Psalm 53:3 tn Heb “together they are corrupt.”
7. Psalm 53:3 tn Heb “there is none that does good.”
8. Psalm 53:4 tn Heb “the workers of wickedness.” See Pss 5:5; 6:8. Ps 14:4 adds כֹּל (kol, “all of”) before “workers of wickedness.”
9. Psalm 53:4 tn Heb “Do they not understand?” The rhetorical question expresses the psalmist’s amazement at their apparent lack of understanding. This may refer to their lack of moral understanding, but it more likely refers to their failure to anticipate God’s defense of his people (see vv. 5-6).