Psalms 53:5

3 All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

4 Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon God.

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.

6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! When God restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad!

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
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.
WEB
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.
ASV
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 of God hath rejected them.
DARBY
There were they in great fear, where no fear was; for God scattereth the bones of him that encampeth against thee. Thou hast put [them] to shame, for God hath despised them.
BLB
There they feared a fear—there was no fear. For God scattered the bones of the one setting camp against you; you have put [them] to shame, for God has rejected them.
ÅB
Da ble de grepet av stor frykt, de som ikke kjente frykt; for Gud spreder deres ben som leirer seg imot deg; du gjør dem til skamme, for Gud har forkastet dem.
OTB
De ble grepet av stor frykt der det ikke var noe å frykte;
For Gud spredte knoklene til dem som slo leir mot deg;
Du gjorde dem til skamme, fordi Gud hadde forkastet dem.
B1930
Da blev de grepet av stor frykt, de som ikke kjente frykt; for Gud spreder deres ben som leirer sig imot dig; du gjør dem til skamme, for Gud har forkastet dem.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Proverbs 28:1

    The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 26:36

    As for those of you who survive, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies, so that even the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. And they will flee as one flees the sword, and fall when no one pursues them.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 6:30

    They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them.”

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 6:5

    I will lay the corpses of the Israelites before their idols and scatter your bones around your altars.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 141:7

    As when one plows and breaks up the soil, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 83:16–17

    Cover their faces with shame, that they may seek Your name, O LORD.

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 26:17

    And I will set My face against you, so that you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee when no one pursues you.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 14:15

    Then terror struck the Philistines in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even those in the outposts and raiding parties trembled. Indeed, the earth quaked and panic spread from God.

    Read in context