Psalm 53 · a question people ask
Psalm 53 is almost word for word Psalm 14. Why is it in the Bible twice?
The Psalms don't say, and these notes don't guess. What the text does show is this. Each has its own title: "For the Chief Musician. By David" (Psalm 14:1), and "For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Mahalath.” A contemplation by David" (53:1). They stand far apart in the book: Psalm 14 comes before the blessing that closes Psalm 41, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen" (Psalm 41:13), and Psalm 53 after it. Psalm 53 isn't the only one: Psalm 70 has the last five verses of Psalm 40 again, with some differences in wording (Psalm 40:13-17, Psalm 70:1-5), and the chapter on Psalm 40 sets them side by side. And when Paul gives words close to these psalms (Romans 3:10-12), he doesn't say which of the two he means.
The verses
“For the Chief Musician. By David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt. They have done abominable deeds. There is no one who does good.”
“For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Mahalath.” A contemplation by David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity. There is no one who does good.”
“Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen.”
“Be pleased, LORD, to deliver me. Hurry to help me, LORD. Let them be disappointed and confounded together who seek after my soul to destroy it. Let them be turned backward and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt. Let them be desolate by reason of their shame that tell me, “Aha! Aha!” Let all those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. Let such as love your salvation say continually, “Let the LORD be exalted!” But I am poor and needy. May the Lord think about me. You are my help and my deliverer. Don’t delay, my God.”