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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 53:5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who besieged you. You put them to shame, for God has despised them.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/53-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/19_Psa_053_005.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 53:5 - The Fool Says There is No God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="There they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to fear. 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God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; you put them to shame, for God despised them. <a href="/nlt/psalms/53.htm">New Living Translation</a> Terror will grip them, terror like they have never known before. God will scatter the bones of your enemies. You will put them to shame, for God has rejected them. <a href="/esv/psalms/53.htm">English Standard Version</a> There they are, in great terror, where there is no terror! For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you; you put them to shame, for God has rejected them. <a href="/bsb/psalms/53.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> There they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who besieged you. You put them to shame, for God has despised them. <a href="/kjv/psalms/53.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/psalms/53.htm">New King James Version</a> There they are in great fear Where no fear was, For God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you; You have put them to shame, Because God has despised them. <a href="/nasb_/psalms/53.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> They were in great fear there, where no fear had been; For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you; You put them to shame, because God had rejected them. <a href="/nasb/psalms/53.htm">NASB 1995</a> There they were in great fear where no fear had been; For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you; You put them to shame, because God had rejected them. <a href="/nasb77/psalms/53.htm">NASB 1977 </a> There they were in great fear where no fear had been; For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you; You put them to shame, because God had rejected them. <a href="/lsb/psalms/53.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> There they were in great dread where no dread had been; For God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you; You put them to shame, because God had rejected them. <a href="/amp/psalms/53.htm">Amplified Bible</a> There they were, in great terror and dread, where there had been no terror or dread; For God scattered the bones of him who besieged you; You have put them to shame, because God has rejected them. <a href="/csb/psalms/53.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then they will be filled with dread — dread like no other — because God will scatter the bones of those who besiege you. You will put them to shame, for God has rejected them. <a href="/hcsb/psalms/53.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then they will be filled with terror— terror like no other— because God will scatter the bones of those who besiege you. You will put them to shame, for God has rejected them. <a href="/asv/psalms/53.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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 rejected them. <a href="/cev/psalms/53.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But you will be terrified worse than ever before. God will scatter the bones of his enemies, and you will be ashamed when God rejects you. <a href="/erv/psalms/53.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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 rejected them. <a href="/gwt/psalms/53.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> There they are-panic-stricken- [but] there was no reason to panic, because God has scattered the bones of those who set up camp against you. You put them to shame. After all, God has rejected them. <a href="/gnt/psalms/53.htm">Good News Translation</a> But then they will become terrified, as they have never been before, for God will scatter the bones of the enemies of his people. God has rejected them, and so Israel will totally defeat them. <a href="/isv/psalms/53.htm">International Standard Version</a> There the Israelis were seized with terror, when there was nothing to fear. For God scattered the bones of those who laid siege against you — you put them to shame, for God rejected them. <a href="/msb/psalms/53.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> There they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who besieged you. You put them to shame, for God has despised them. <a href="/net/psalms/53.htm">NET Bible</a> They are absolutely terrified, even by things that do not normally cause fear. For God annihilates those who attack you. You are able to humiliate them because God has rejected them. <a href="/nheb/psalms/53.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> There they will be in great fear, where no fear had been, for God will scatter the bones of those who encamp against you. You will put them to shame, because God has rejected them. <a href="/wbt/psalms/53.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> There they were 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. <a href="/web/psalms/53.htm">World English Bible</a> There they were in great fear, where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you. You have put them to shame, because God has rejected them. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/psalms/53.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> There they feared a fear—there was no fear, "" For God has scattered the bones of him "" Who is encamping against you, "" You have put to shame, "" For God has despised them. <a href="/ylt/psalms/53.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> There they feared a fear -- there was no fear, For God hath scattered the bones of him Who is encamping against thee, Thou hast put to shame, For God hath despised them. <a href="/slt/psalms/53.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> They feared a fear; there was no fear: for God scattered the bones of him making narrow: thou didst make ashamed, for God rejected them.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/psalms/53.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> They have not called upon God: there have they trembled for fear, where there was no fear. For God hath scattered the bones of them that please men: they have been confounded, because God hath despised them. <a href="/cpdv/psalms/53.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 52:6>They have not called upon God. In that place, they have trembled in fear, where there was no fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who please men. They have been confounded, because God has spurned them. <a href="/nabre/psalms/53.htm">New American Bible</a> They are going to fear his name with great fear, though they had not feared it before. For God will scatter the bones of those encamped against you. They will surely be put to shame, for God has rejected them. <a href="/nrsvce/psalms/53.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> There they shall be in great terror, in terror such as has not been. For God will scatter the bones of the ungodly; they will be put to shame, for God has rejected them.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/psalms/53.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> There they feared where no fear was; for God has scattered the bones of hypocrites; they have been ashamed, because God has despised them. <a href="/hpbt/psalms/53.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> There they feared a fear where there was no fear, because God would scatter the bones of those who are pleasing the children of men. They were ashamed because God despised them.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/psalms/53.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> There are 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 rejected them. <a href="/sep/psalms/53.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> for God has scattered the bones of the men-pleasers; they were ashamed, for God despised them. <a href="/parallel/psalms/53-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=6318" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/psalms/53.htm">The Fool Says There is No God</a> …4Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon God. 5<a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">There they are,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6342.htm" title="6342: pā·ḥă·ḏū- (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To dread, be in dread or in awe. A primitive root; to be startled; hence, to fear in general.">overwhelmed</a> <a href="/hebrew/6343.htm" title="6343: p̄a·ḥaḏ (N-ms) -- Dread. From pachad; a alarm.">with dread,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">where there was</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/6343.htm" title="6343: p̄ā·ḥaḏ (N-ms) -- Dread. From pachad; a alarm.">to fear.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/6340.htm" title="6340: piz·zar (V-Piel-Perf-3ms) -- To scatter. A primitive root; to scatter, whether in enmity or bounty.">has scattered</a> <a href="/hebrew/6106.htm" title="6106: ‘aṣ·mō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- Bone, substance, self. From atsam; a bone; by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. Selfsame.">the bones</a> <a href="/hebrew/2583.htm" title="2583: ḥō·nāḵ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 2ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline; by implication, to decline; specifically, to pitch a tent; gen. To encamp.">of those who besieged you.</a> <a href="/hebrew/954.htm" title="954: hĕ·ḇi·šō·ṯāh (V-Hifil-Perf-2ms) -- To be ashamed. A primitive root; properly, to pale, i.e. By implication to be ashamed; also to be disappointed or delayed.">You put them to shame,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/3988.htm" title="3988: mə·’ā·sām (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 3mp) -- To spurn, to disappear. A primitive root; to spurn; also to disappear.">has despised them.</a> 6Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! When God restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-18</a> As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” ... <a href="/psalms/14-5.htm">Psalm 14:5</a> There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is in the company of the righteous. <a href="/isaiah/33-14.htm">Isaiah 33:14</a> The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: “Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?” <a href="/isaiah/2-19.htm">Isaiah 2:19-21</a> Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. / In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold—the idols they made to worship. / They will flee to caverns in the rocks and crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. <a href="/jeremiah/2-19.htm">Jeremiah 2:19</a> Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts. <a href="/proverbs/1-26.htm">Proverbs 1:26-27</a> in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you, / when your dread comes like a storm, and your destruction like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish overwhelm you. <a href="/isaiah/13-6.htm">Isaiah 13:6-8</a> Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty. / Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt. / Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear. <a href="/ezekiel/7-18.htm">Ezekiel 7:18-19</a> They will put on sackcloth, and terror will overwhelm them. Shame will cover all their faces, and all their heads will be shaved. / They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will seem unclean. Their silver and gold cannot save them in the day of the wrath of the LORD. They cannot satisfy their appetites or fill their stomachs with wealth, for it became the stumbling block that brought their iniquity. <a href="/zephaniah/1-14.htm">Zephaniah 1:14-18</a> The great Day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter. / That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, / a day of horn blast and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers. ... <a href="/matthew/24-30.htm">Matthew 24:30</a> At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. <a href="/revelation/6-15.htm">Revelation 6:15-17</a> Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. / And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. / For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?” <a href="/luke/21-25.htm">Luke 21:25-26</a> There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. / Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. <a href="/hebrews/10-27.htm">Hebrews 10:27</a> but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. <a href="/2_thessalonians/1-7.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:7-9</a> and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. / They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:3</a> While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God has scattered the bones of him that encamps against you: you have put them to shame, because God has despised them.There<a href="/leviticus/26-17.htm">Leviticus 26:17,36</a> And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you… <a href="/deuteronomy/28-65.htm">Deuteronomy 28:65-67</a> And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: … <a href="/1_samuel/14-15.htm">1 Samuel 14:15</a> And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.were they in great fear [heb.<a href="/psalms/14-5.htm">Psalm 14:5</a> There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.scattered<a href="/psalms/141-7.htm">Psalm 141:7</a> Our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.<a href="/ezekiel/6-5.htm">Ezekiel 6:5</a> And I will lay the dead carcases of the children of Israel before their idols; and I will scatter your bones round about your altars.<a href="/ezekiel/37-1.htm">Ezekiel 37:1-11</a> The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, … thou hast<a href="/psalms/35-4.htm">Psalm 35:4,26</a> Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt… <a href="/psalms/40-14.htm">Psalm 40:14</a> Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.<a href="/psalms/83-16.htm">Psalm 83:16,17</a> Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD… because<a href="/psalms/2-4.htm">Psalm 2:4</a> He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.<a href="/psalms/73-20.htm">Psalm 73:20</a> As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.<a href="/isaiah/37-22.htm">Isaiah 37:22</a> This is the word which the LORD hath spoken concerning him; The virgin, the daughter of Zion, hath despised thee, and laughed thee to scorn; the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/18-18.htm">Attacked</a> <a href="/psalms/51-8.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/psalms/51-17.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/psalms/50-23.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/psalms/52-7.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/psalms/22-24.htm">Despised</a> <a href="/psalms/45-4.htm">Dread</a> <a href="/job/19-12.htm">Encamped</a> <a href="/psalms/34-7.htm">Encampeth</a> <a href="/psalms/34-7.htm">Encamping</a> <a href="/psalms/34-7.htm">Encamps</a> <a href="/psalms/52-6.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/psalms/52-7.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/44-15.htm">Overwhelmed</a> <a href="/psalms/44-9.htm">Rejected</a> <a href="/job/37-11.htm">Scatter</a> <a href="/psalms/44-11.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/psalms/44-15.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/psalms/48-5.htm">Terror</a> <a href="/psalms/43-1.htm">Ungodly</a> <a href="/psalms/35-1.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/124-2.htm">Attacked</a> <a href="/psalms/102-3.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/psalms/55-20.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/psalms/54-1.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/psalms/54-7.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/psalms/69-33.htm">Despised</a> <a href="/psalms/64-1.htm">Dread</a> <a href="/isaiah/29-1.htm">Encamped</a> <a href="/genesis/26-17.htm">Encampeth</a> <a href="/luke/21-20.htm">Encamping</a> <a href="/numbers/1-51.htm">Encamps</a> <a href="/psalms/55-4.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/psalms/54-4.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/55-5.htm">Overwhelmed</a> <a href="/psalms/60-1.htm">Rejected</a> <a href="/psalms/59-11.htm">Scatter</a> <a href="/psalms/60-1.htm">Scattered</a> <a href="/psalms/57-3.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/psalms/55-15.htm">Terror</a> <a href="/psalms/73-12.htm">Ungodly</a> <a href="/psalms/55-21.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 53</div>1. <a href="/psalms/53-1.htm">David describes the corruption of the natural man</a> 4. <a href="/psalms/53-4.htm">He convinces the wicked by the light of their own conscience</a> 6. <a href="/psalms/53-6.htm">He glories in the salvation of God</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/psalms/53.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>There they were This phrase sets the scene for a sudden realization or confrontation. In the Hebrew text, the word "there" (שָׁם, sham) indicates a specific place or moment in time. It suggests an unexpected encounter with the consequences of one's actions. Historically, this can be seen as a moment of divine intervention where God reveals the folly of the wicked. The phrase invites readers to reflect on the certainty of God's justice, which may come unexpectedly but is assured.overwhelmed with dread The Hebrew word for "overwhelmed" (פָּחַד, pachad) conveys a sense of terror or panic. This is not a mild fear but an intense, paralyzing dread. The context here is the realization of God's presence and judgment. In the biblical narrative, such dread often accompanies a divine revelation or theophany, where the reality of God's holiness and power becomes undeniable. This phrase serves as a reminder of the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (<a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a>).where there was nothing to fear This part of the verse highlights the irrationality of the wicked's fear. The Hebrew text suggests that their dread is baseless, as there is no immediate threat. This can be interpreted as the internal guilt and conscience of the wicked manifesting as fear. It underscores the biblical principle that those who reject God live in a state of insecurity and anxiety, even when there is no external cause for alarm. This serves as a contrast to the peace and assurance found in trusting God.For God scattered the bones of those who besieged you The imagery of "scattered bones" is vivid and powerful, symbolizing complete defeat and desolation. In ancient warfare, the scattering of bones would indicate a total and humiliating defeat, with no one left to bury the dead. The phrase "those who besieged you" refers to enemies of God's people. Historically, this could allude to various instances where God delivered Israel from its enemies. Theologically, it emphasizes God's sovereignty and ability to protect His people, turning the plans of the wicked into ruin.you put them to shame The act of putting to shame (הִכְלִים, hichlim) in Hebrew implies a public disgrace or humiliation. This is often seen as a reversal of fortunes, where the proud and arrogant are brought low. In the biblical context, shame is not just a social stigma but a spiritual consequence of opposing God. This phrase reassures believers that God will ultimately vindicate His people and expose the folly of those who oppose Him.for God despised them The word "despised" (מָאַס, ma'as) in Hebrew conveys a strong rejection or disdain. It indicates God's righteous judgment against those who are corrupt and rebellious. This is not a capricious or arbitrary disdain but a holy and just response to sin. Theologically, it serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the necessity of repentance. It also reassures believers of God's commitment to justice and righteousness, affirming that evil will not go unpunished.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/53.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) Where no fear was.--This--the most interesting variation from Psalms 14--appears plainly to have been inserted to bring the Psalm into harmony with some circumstance belonging to the time for which it was adapted, but to which we have no clue. As to the choice among the various explanations that have been given of it, we must remark that the one which takes "fear" in a good sense ("Then were they in great fright where there was no fear of God") is excluded by the fact that the same word is employed in both clauses; and, as elsewhere p?chad is used of a "cause of terror," we may render, There were they in great fear, where there was no cause for fear.Apparently, from the immediate context, this statement is made not of the enemies of Israel, but of Israel itself, and was so constantly applicable to a people supposed to be living under the immediate protection of God, and yet liable to sudden panics, that we need not try to recover the precise event referred to.Of him that encampeth against thee.--Literally, of thy besiegers. The bones of the beleaguering host lie bleaching on the sand. But the text seems to have suffered. The LXX. and Vulg. have "the bones of them that please men," and a comparison with <a href="/context/psalms/14-5.htm" title="There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.">Psalm 14:5-6</a> shows such a similarity of letters, with difference of meaning, that both texts look like different attempts to restore some faded MS. Many attempts have been made to restore the original, but none eminently satisfactory.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/53.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 5. - There were they in great fear, where no fear was. So long a phrase as "where no fear was" (לא־היה כּחד) can scarcely have "fallen out," and must have been added intentionally to mark that, on the occasion in connection with which the revision was made, there had been no ground at all for the panic. For God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee. This clause takes the place of the following in <a href="/psalms/14.htm">Psalm 14</a>.: "For God is in the generation of the righteous" - a very considerable change, which must certainly have been intentional. On the second occasion whereto the psalm was made applicable, there must have been a very great catastrophe - some vast slaughter of an enemy who had been at open war with Israel. Sennacherib is suggested (Canon Cook). Thou hast put them to shams, because God hath despised them. The clause in <a href="/psalms/14.htm">Psalm 14</a>. which this replaces runs as follows: "Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the Lord is his Refuge." Here again, both the phrases used, and the whole tenor of the thought in either case, are different. <a href="/commentaries/psalms/53-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>There they are, שָׁ֤ם ׀ (šām) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> There, then, thither overwhelmed פָּֽחֲדוּ־ (pā·ḥă·ḏū-) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6342.htm">Strong's 6342: </a> To dread, be in dread or in awe with dread, פַחַד֮ (p̄a·ḥaḏ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6343.htm">Strong's 6343: </a> A, alarm [where] there was הָ֪יָה֫ (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be nothing לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no to fear. פָ֥חַד (p̄ā·ḥaḏ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6343.htm">Strong's 6343: </a> A, alarm For כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction God אֱלֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative has scattered פִּ֭זַּר (piz·zar) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6340.htm">Strong's 6340: </a> To scatter the bones עַצְמ֣וֹת (‘aṣ·mō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6106.htm">Strong's 6106: </a> A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame of those who besieged you. חֹנָ֑ךְ (ḥō·nāḵ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2583.htm">Strong's 2583: </a> To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp You will put them to shame, הֱ֝בִשֹׁ֗תָה (hĕ·ḇi·šō·ṯāh) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_954.htm">Strong's 954: </a> To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed for כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction God אֱלֹהִ֥ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative has despised them. מְאָסָֽם׃ (mə·’ā·sām) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3988.htm">Strong's 3988: </a> To spurn, to disappear <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/53-5.htm">Psalm 53:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/psalms/53-5.htm">Psalm 53:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/psalms/53-5.htm">Psalm 53:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/psalms/53-5.htm">Psalm 53:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/psalms/53-5.htm">Psalm 53:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/53-5.htm">Psalm 53:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/53-5.htm">Psalm 53:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/53-5.htm">Psalm 53:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/53-5.htm">Psalm 53:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/psalms/53-5.htm">Psalm 53:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/psalms/53-5.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 53:5 There they were in great fear where (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/53-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 53:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 53:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/53-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 53:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 53:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>