Psalms 53:5

3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

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.

6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall 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 man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 26:36

    And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 6:30

    Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.

    Read in context
  • Ezekiel 6:5

    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.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 141:7

    Our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth, as when one cutteth and cleaveth wood upon the earth.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 83:16–17

    Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 26:17

    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.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 14:15

    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.

    Read in context