Psalm 53 5

Psalm 53:5 kjv

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.

Psalm 53:5 nkjv

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.

Psalm 53:5 niv

But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; you put them to shame, for God despised them.

Psalm 53:5 esv

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.

Psalm 53:5 nlt

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.

Psalm 53 verses

Psalm 53 5 Meaning

Psalm 53:5 vividly portrays the ultimate downfall and disgrace of those who oppose God and His people. It depicts them experiencing overwhelming, existential dread, which arises even where there previously seemed to be no immediate external cause for fear. This internal terror escalates into a divinely ordained judgment: God decisively scatters their very bones, signifying their complete destruction, the denial of a proper burial, and ultimate public shame. Their defeat is directly attributed to God's own scorn and rejection of them, highlighting His absolute sovereignty over all creation and His unwavering opposition to ungodliness.

Psalm 53 5 Context

Psalm 53 is a wisdom psalm that starkly portrays the nature of the "fool" who denies God's existence (or sovereignty). It is nearly identical to Psalm 14, with the most significant difference being the consistent use of "Elohim" (God) instead of "Yahweh" (LORD) throughout Psalm 53. This psalm likely reflects a time of deep moral corruption and oppression within Israel, or potentially from external enemies. The "fools" described are not necessarily intellectually lacking, but morally depraved, manifesting their denial of God through wicked actions and exploitation of the righteous. Verse 5 comes as the divine counter-narrative and promise of intervention. While the oppressors feel secure in their power, God observes their injustice and plans their downfall. The verse serves as a declaration of certain judgment, assuring the righteous that God will indeed act on their behalf and disgrace those who oppose His divine order.

Psalm 53 5 Word analysis

• There (שָׁם - sham): Points to a specific, perhaps climactic, moment or place where this judgment unfolds. It implies a public spectacle of their terror.
• they were in great terror (פָּחֲדוּ פַחַד - pakhadu fakhat): This is a powerful Hebrew idiom, a cognate accusative, emphasizing the intensity and depth of their fear. It literally means "they feared a fear," indicating a profound and pervasive dread that consumes them.
• where no terror was (לֹא־הָיָה פָחַד - lo-hayah fakhat): Creates a stark paradox. This could mean they had an irrational fear even when there was no visible threat, or that from a human perspective, there seemed to be no immediate cause for them to fear, emphasizing God's sudden, unexpected judgment. This fear is a direct result of God's hidden action, even before His full judgment is revealed. It also contrasts with the oppressors who thought they were secure.
• for God (כִּי אֱלֹהִים - ki Elohim): "Ki" means "for" or "because," introducing the divine reason for their terror and judgment. "Elohim" is the general Hebrew term for God, emphasizing His universal power and creator role, rather than His covenant name (Yahweh), which might suggest broader applicability or a later liturgical setting.
• hath scattered (פִּזַּר - pizzar): Implies a forceful, decisive action of dispersal and breaking apart. It signifies complete defeat and humiliation, akin to scattering dust or chaff.
• the bones of him that encampeth against thee (עַצְמוֹת חֹנָךְ - atzmot khonakeha): "Atzmot" refers to bones. "Khonakeha" comes from chanah, meaning "to encamp" or "besiege." The phrase refers to those who hostilely assemble against God's people ("thee"). Scattering of bones symbolizes utter destruction, the absence of a proper burial, and ultimate public disgrace – a severe curse in the ancient world, worse than death itself, signifying perpetual dishonor.
• thou hast put them to shame (בּוֹשְׁתָּה - bosh'tah): The verb bush means "to be ashamed" or "to put to shame." The "thou" (God's people/Zion or perhaps directly God himself) indicates the instrument through whom the enemies' disgrace is manifested. As God acts against the oppressors, His people are vindicated and the enemies are humiliated.
• because God hath despised them (כִּי אֱלֹהִים מְאָסָם - ki Elohim me'asam): "Ki" again provides the ultimate reason. "Ma'asam" comes from ma'as, meaning "to reject," "despise," "scorn," or "disdain." This reveals the deep spiritual root of the judgment: God's ultimate rejection of those who reject Him and His righteous ways. This divine contempt seals their fate.

Psalm 53 5 Bonus section

• Elohim vs. Yahweh: The use of "Elohim" throughout Psalm 53, unlike the use of "Yahweh" in the parallel Psalm 14, is significant. While both refer to God, "Elohim" emphasizes God as the powerful Creator and judge of all, transcending covenantal boundaries, thus perhaps speaking to a universal principle of divine justice or intended for broader application. This may reflect the later editorial stages of the Psalter where some psalms were adjusted for broader liturgical use in periods emphasizing God's universal nature.
• The Inevitable Fall of Arrogance: The verse subtly conveys that the downfall of those who arrogantly oppose God is assured, irrespective of their worldly power or perceived security. Their fear precedes their actual physical demise, indicating a divine judgment at work both internally (in their spirit) and externally (in their circumstance). This "fear where no terror was" suggests a spiritual sensitivity to their impending doom, planted by God Himself.
• Prophetic Nature: The past tense verbs ("were in terror," "scattered," "hath despised") in Psalm 53:5 are often understood as a prophetic perfect in Hebrew, describing a future certainty as if it has already occurred, emphasizing the absolute assurance of God's decree against His enemies.

Psalm 53 5 Commentary

Psalm 53:5 serves as a profound declaration of God's unwavering justice against the wicked. The verse's power lies in its description of both the internal, psychological terror that seizes the enemies and the external, decisive action of God that culminates in their absolute disgrace. The phrase "where no terror was" underscores the initially misplaced confidence or spiritual blindness of the wicked; their perceived security crumbles into irrational dread even before a tangible threat appears, a sign of their spiritual bankruptcy. This terror, however, quickly morphs into justified fear as God's judgment materializes. The scattering of their bones is not merely physical annihilation but profound spiritual and social anathema—a permanent mark of their utter defilement and dishonor, denying them peace even in death. This is the consequence of God's rejection, for those whom He despises face inevitable shame. The verse stands as a testament to divine sovereignty: God alone judges with ultimate authority, putting to shame those who defy His authority and oppress His chosen, ultimately for the vindication of His name and His people.