Against the furious cruelty of these men, therefore, this Psalm comforts the godly; and promises them, that such shall not go unpunished, but shall fall under those awful curses mentioned in Deut. xxviii:—that they shall be rooted out of the earth; that their houses shall be destroyed; and that they shall lose both their bodies and their estates; but, that those who fear God shall be preserved; that they shall remain in the house of the Lord; and that they shall persevere in teaching and hearing the word of God, in defiance of the devil and all the wicked. PSALM LIII. _David describeth the corruption of a natural man.—He convinceth the wicked by the light of their own conscience.—He glorieth in the salvation of God._ 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. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were _any_ that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back; they are altogether become filthy: _there is_ none that doeth good, no, not one. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people _as_ they eat bread: they have not called upon God. 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. 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. This Psalm is a prophecy like that of Psalm xiv; and it is a Psalm of instruction. The two Psalms are of the same purport, and contain almost the same words and expressions. In a word, they both cut at hypocrites and self-justifiers, who persecute the sound doctrine and its preachers; and at the close they give a prophetic declaration concerning the gospel, and the kingdom of Christ which should proceed out of Zion. PSALM LIV. _David, complaining of the Ziphims, prayeth for salvation.—Upon his confidence in God’s help he promiseth sacrifice._ To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, _A Psalm_ of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us. Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength. Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah. Behold, God _is_ mine helper: the LORD _is_ with them that uphold my soul. He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth. I will freely sacrifice unto thee; I will praise thy name, O LORD, for _it is_ good. For he hath delivered me out of all trouble; and mine eye hath seen _his desire_ upon mine enemies.