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.
There they were, filled with terror when there was nothing to be afraid of. God has scattered the bones of those who attacked you like an army camp. You have put them to shame because God has rejected them.
This verse is saying that God's enemies become terrified even when there's no real threat, because God defeats those who attack His people and leaves them humiliated.
📚 Historical Context
Psalm 53 is nearly identical to Psalm 14 and describes the foolishness of those who deny God's existence and oppose His people. This particular verse likely refers to how God's enemies experience panic and defeat when they attack Israel, even when circumstances might seem favorable to them. The imagery of 'scattered bones' suggests complete military defeat, as unburied bones were a sign of utter destruction in ancient warfare.
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