53:title according to Mahalath May refer to dancing, antiphonal singing, an instrument, or sickness.

A maskil See note on 32:title.

53:1 The fool The Hebrew word used here, naval, refers to someone who rejects God and chooses evil.

they have done abominable iniquity The nearly identical 14:1 uses the Hebrew word alilah (“deeds”) instead of awel (which may be literally rendered “iniquity”). However, both psalms emphasize the atrocious nature of the fool’s actions.

53:3 There is none who does good Yahweh’s examination of humanity reveals total corruption. See note on 14:3.

53:5 There they are very fearful See note on 14:5.

where no fear had been Describes an attitude of guilt and paranoia paralleled elsewhere in the ot (Lev 26:17; see Prov 28:1 and note).

him who encamps against you In contrast to the nearly identical Psa 14, the psalmist here addresses a person oppressed by the fool, whereas Psa 14 addresses the fools (see 14:6 and note). Psalm 14 emphasizes that God is the refuge to the poor, while this verse emphasizes that God rejects and shames the wicked. Both psalms, however, emphasize God’s protection of those who are oppressed by the foolish and wicked.

53:6 from Zion A reference to the temple mount in Jerusalem or more broadly Jerusalem itself. See note on 14:7.