The Psalmist traces the deep and universal corruption of mankind to its source in their failure to seek after God (53:1-3). He illustrates this corruption by the cruel treatment to which "my people", the people of The LORD have been subjected. And points to some signal interposition by which The LORD has proved His care for them and refuted the denial of His Providence (53:4-5). The Psalm concludes with a prayer that He will gladden Israel with a full deliverance (53:6).
At least in Psa_53:1-3 it is of mankind at large ("the sons of men", 53:2) that he is speaking. His words recall the great examples of corruption in the primeval world, in the days before the Flood, at Babel, in Sodom. It is clear that "my people" in 53:4 must mean the nation of Israel, and not the poor but godly folk within the nation, while the "workers of iniquity" must mean foreign invaders, not tyrannical Israelite Sovereigns, for 53:5 can refer to nothing less than some great national deliverance from a foreign enemy. In the notes on Psalms 14 the view is taken that Psa_53:4-5 were originally meant to refer to the oppression of Israel in Egypt and the deliverance at the Red Sea, as a great typical instance of defiant antagonism to the LORD and of His intervention on behalf of His people. They seem to have been remodelled here to introduce a reference to the invasion of Judah by the Antichrist.
The fool, foreshadowing Antichrist, denies the existence of God.
Psalms 53:1
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.
Psalms 53:2
God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
Psalms 53:3
Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Psalms 53:4
Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
Psalms 53:5
There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
Psalms 53:6
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
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