Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 53

5. 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 .

(i. e.) Where there was no great nor sufficient Cause of Fear, See Levit. 26. 36. Deut. 28. 65. Iob 15. 21. Prov. 28. 1. They who designed to secure themselves, from all Fear and Danger by their Contempt of God, and by the Persecution of good Men, and by other wicked Courses, were by those means filled with the Terrors which they sought to avoid.

Hath not onely broken their Bones, (i. e.) Their strength and force, which is oft noted by the Bones, as Psal. 6. 2. and 31. 10. and 51. 8. but also dispersed them hither and thither, so as there is no Hopes of a Re-union and Restauration.

(i. e.) Against my People, expressed v. 4. or Israel, or Zion, as it is in the next Verse.

Thou Oh Zion or Ierusalem, which they besiege.

For the great and strange disappointment of their Hopes and Confidence. It was a great Reproach to them, for such numerous and mighty Forces, to be baffled and Conquered by those whom they thought to swallow up at a Morsel.

Or, Rejected them, Cursed them. Therefore it is no wonder if they could not stand before thee.

Marginal references: Heb. they [illegible: 1+ letters] ed a Fear.