A Commentary on the Psalms - Psalm 53 - Story and Lesson on Saul’s Disloyalty

Sep 28, 2026

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A monthly Franciscan spiritual review issue from September 1961 presents a commentary on Psalm 53 focused on the narrative arc of King Saul’s spiritual disobedience and its consequences. The text traces Saul’s initial favor, his rash sacrifice and later refusal to carry out God’s commands, then describes Saul’s descent into depression, fear, and attempts to kill David. It recounts episodes from Saul’s pursuit near Ziph and Engaddi through two moments when David spares Saul, highlighting loyalty and divine purpose.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

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Pages36

Reading Time1 h 31 min

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A Commentary on the Psalms

Psalm 53

Un8VCoLLuLIO厂.MI十EAMheEncrEM A FRANCISCAN SPIRITUAL REVIEW cheCORD A monthly magazine specifically devoted to Franciscan spirituality and publishedunder the sponsorship of the Franciscan Educational Conference by the FranciscanInstitute,St.Bonaventure University,St.Bonaventure P.O.,New York.Editor:Eligius Bytaert,O.F.M.Assistant Editor,Sister Mary Frances.S.M.I.C.ManagingEditor:Sabbas J.Kilian,O.F.M.Editorial Board:Ignatius Brady,O.F.M..InnocentDaam,O.F.M.,Columban Duffy,O.F.M.,Gaudens Mohan,O.F.M.,Allan Wolter,O.F.M.Annual subscription $2.00. Entered as second class matter on November 25,1950,at St.Bonaventure P.O.,New York,under the Act of March 3,1879.All communications,whether of a businessor a literary nature,should be addressed to THE CORD,St.Bonaventure University,St.Bonaventure P.O.New York.Cum permissu superiorum. VOL.XI,NO.9,SEPTEMBER,1961 CONTENTS A COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS:257Fcsther Jerome A.Kelly,O.F.M. ADDRESS BY REV.PIUS J.BARTH,O.F.M.,Ph.D., PRESIDENT,FRANCISCAN EDI CATIONAL CONFERENCE 265Rev.Pius J.Barth,O.F.M.,Plh.D.A DREAM COME TRUE268Rev.Valentine Long,O.F.M. IN CHRIST'OUR LORD271Valentine M.Breton,O.F.M ALEX ANDER OF HALES ( MANUALLABOR280Translated by Philip J.Martin,O.F.M. EARLY SOU RCES FOR THE 1IFE OF ST.FRANCIS283Father Byron IV'itzemann,O.F.M.POEMS: SONG FOR HER SORROWS261Sist er M.Josephine,F.SS.S.1ND FAITH IS BORN273Sister M.Florian,O.S.F. # A Commentary on the Psalms: Psalm 53 The story of King Saul is thetragedy of a proud man's disloyaltyto God.Chosen by God andanointed by Samuel to be the firstking of Israel,Saul began hisreign auspiciously.In the secondyear as king,however,while pre-paring to resist a Philistine attack,he first forfeited God's favor.Hehad waited a full week for Sam-uel's coming to offer sacrifice towin God's blessing on the army ofIsrael.When the prophet failedto appear,Saul,fearing wholesaledesertions,impetuously orderedthe victims prepared and he him-self performed the sacred sacrifice.Just as the sacrilege was concluded,Samuel appeared and revealed toSaul the consequences of his rashviolationof(God's ordinances."But for this,the Lord wouldhave destined thee,here and now,to found a line of kings that shouldhave ruled Israel forever.Now thydynasty shall fall with thee:theLord has found a man to fulfillhis purposes and rule his peopleinstead of thee;such is the rewardof disobedience”(I Kings 13:13-14). The rebuke must havc shockedSaul but it seems not to have taughthim any lasting lesson.When com- manded later by God to kill the Father Jerome A.Kelly,O.F.M. Amalecites and to destroy all theirpossessions,Saul disobeyed bysparing Agag,the king of Amalec,and"the best of the flocks and theherds,the choicest garments,thefattest rams”(I King 15:9).Sam-uel solemnly announced God'spunishment for this act of delib-erate defiance:“The.Lord hasrevoked thy kingship over Israel,since thou hast revoked the loyaltyto him:..The Lord has tornaway the kingdom of Israel fromthee,and given it to another anda better man than thyself”(I Kings 15:26-28). It is no wonder that soon afterthese events Saul began to fall intofitsof melancholy.Somethingshould be done,his courtiersagreed,to lift the king from thesemoods of depression.So Davidwas fetched from Bethlelem toplay the.harp in Saul's presenceand thus comfort the king anddrive away the evil spells.Sauldid not know—and David did nottell him—that Samuel at the com-mand of the Lord had alreadysccretly anointed the shepherd boyto prepare him to becomc theleader of Israel.But there wereother things that little by littleturned the king's affection againstDavid.These multiplied until fin-aly Saul"began to fear David, as the heir to that divine favorhe had lost”(I Kings 18-12).Thisfear bred a hatred which goadedSaul·into attemipts'to"kill David.Things got so bad that David hadto flee the court and go into hidingwith a band of outlaws in thewilderness'around Ziph,just belowBethlehem and Hebron,and somedistance

FAQs

What does the commentary identify as the central cause of Saul’s downfall?

It emphasizes Saul’s disloyalty and repeated defiance of God’s ordinances, beginning with rash actions when Samuel did not appear and continuing with disobedience regarding Amalek.

How does David’s role change Saul’s inner state according to the text?

David is brought to play the harp to comfort Saul, but over time Saul’s affection turns against David, eventually leading Saul to fear and seek to kill him.

How does the passage portray David’s behavior toward Saul during the chases?

When Saul is vulnerable, David acts to spare him, using tangible proof of presence and loyalty instead of taking Saul’s life, insisting on reverence for kingship.

Sep 28, 2026

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