Psalm 53 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 53:6
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 53
God searches for understanding
Verse 53:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[53:1] For the director. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[52:1] For the end. Concerning Maeleth. Of understanding, of David.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The performance heading, tune-name form and Maskil interpretation differ.
Verse 53:2 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[53:2] The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt and commit abominable injustice;
there is no one doing good.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[52:2] A fool said in his heart, “There is no God.”
They became corrupt and abominable in lawless deeds;
there is no one doing good.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The denial of God and corruption agree.
Verse 53:3 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[53:3] God looks down from heaven upon humankind,
to see whether anyone has understanding, anyone seeks God.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[52:3] God bent down from heaven toward the sons of humankind,
to see whether anyone understands or seeks God.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The divine search agrees.
Verse 53:4 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[53:4] All have turned aside; together they have become foul;
there is no one doing good, not even one.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[52:4] All turned aside; together they became useless;
there is no one doing good, not a single one.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Hebrew foulness becomes Greek uselessness. This Greek psalm does not contain the additional chain printed in Greek Psalm 13:3; that other passage is not imported here.
Verse 53:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[53:5] Do the workers of wrongdoing not know,
those who eat my people as they eat bread
and do not call on God?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[52:5] Will all who work lawlessness not learn?
Those eating my people like the eating of bread did not call on God.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek makes the opening a future question about learning and adds all.
Verse 53:6 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[53:6] There they feared greatly where there was no fear,
for God scattered the bones of those encamped against you.
You put them to shame, for God rejected them.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[52:6] There they will fear greatly where there was no fear,
for God scattered the bones of people-pleasers.
They were put to shame, for God despised them.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew identifies besiegers and makes the addressed community shame them; Greek identifies people-pleasers and uses passive humiliation.
Verse 53:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[53:7] Who will give Israel's deliverances from Zion?
When God restores His people's fortunes,
let Jacob exult and Israel rejoice.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[52:7] Who will give Israel's salvation from Zion?
When the Lord turns back His people's captivity,
Jacob will exult and Israel will rejoice.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew has God and plural deliverances; Greek Lord and singular salvation. The restoration idiom is expressed through fortunes and captivity respectively.