| Psalms 53:1
| Unto the end, in verses, understanding for David.
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| Psalms 53:2
| When the men of Ziph had come and said to Saul: Is not David hidden with us? [1 Kings xxiii. 19.]
| Ziph lay to the south of Juda. (Haydock) --- David was rescued from the most imminent danger, by an irruption of the Philistines. He then composed this canticle, expressing his sentiments in danger, and his gratitude to God. (Calmet) --- It may also be used by any person in distress. (Worthington) --- The Church orders it to be said by her ministers at Prime, that they may be protected from all their spiritual enemies. (Berthier) --- The Fathers apply it to Jesus Christ, (St. Hilary) or to his persecuted members. (St. Augustine)
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| Psalms 53:3
| Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me in thy strength.
| Name, which is a strong tower, (Proverbs 18:10.; Calmet) event thyself. Hence it is so criminal to take it in vain. (Berthier) --- Judge. Ancient psalters have, "deliver." Saul and the Zipheans persecute me unjustly. I commit my cause to thee. (Haydock) --- Defend me for the justice of my cause. (Worthington)
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| Psalms 53:4
| O God, hear my prayer: give ear to the words of my mouth.
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| Psalms 53:5
| For strangers have risen up against me; and the mighty have sought after my soul; and they have not set God before their eyes.
| Strangers. Barbarous, (Worthington) enemies, though of the same tribe. (Calmet) --- Hostis dicebatur quem nunc peregrinum dicimus. (Cicero, Off. i.) --- The devil and our passions, as well as the world, are such to us. (Berthier)
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| Psalms 53:6
| For behold God is my helper: and the Lord is the protector of my soul.
| Behold. He admires how God delivered him, though Saul seemed to have only one step more to take. Jesus Christ was secure amid the persecutions of the Jews, till he was pleased to deliver himself up, John 10:18. (Calmet)
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| Psalms 53:7
| Turn back the evils upon my enemies: and cut them off in thy truth.
| Truth. To fulfil thy promises. (Haydock) --- He foretells their destruction.
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| Psalms 53:8
| I will freely sacrifice to thee, and will give praise, O God, to thy name: because it is good:
| Freely, without being commanded. (Worthington) (Menochius) (Leviticus 3:1.) --- Jesus Christ was offered, because he would, Isaias 53:7., and John 10:17. (St. Jerome) --- Good, so to do, (Du Hamel) or sweet in itself, Psalm 51:11. (Calmet)
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| Psalms 53:9
| For thou hast delivered me out of all trouble: and my eye hath looked down upon my enemies.
| Enemies, from the hill which divided the armies. I saw them retire, (Haydock) and in security beheld their chastisement. (Menochius)
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