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Are all the foes of Zion fools Psalm 53

Isaac Watts's setting of Psalm 53:4–6, printed in 1719 in The Psalms of David Imitated, where he set the psalms "in the language of the New Testament".

WRITTEN BY

Isaac Watts 1674–1748

PRINTED

1719 The Psalms of David Imitated · no. 53

METRE

Common Metre 8.6.8.6 · 4 stanzas

WRITTEN ON

Psalm 53:4–6 the verse printed above it

The hymn, and the Scripture in it

All 4 stanzas as Watts printed them, with the verses their lines echo beside them. Point at a line to join it to its verse; click to read the passage.

SHARED WORDSthe verse shares the line's wording ECHOproposed by an AI model, confirmed by a separate check Not the author's own notes

The psalm it sets

Watts made this hymn from Psalm 53:4–6, "in the language of the New Testament": a paraphrase, not a translation. The line that comes closest to it is marked.

4Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon God. 5There 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. 6Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! When God restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad! PSALM 53:4–6 · BEREAN STANDARD BIBLE READ PSALM 53

They shall be seized with sad surprise; For God's revenging arm Scatters the bones of them that rise To do his children harm. STANZA II

Its place in the book

Watts's psalms run from Psalm 1 to Psalm 150, several settings to many psalms: 367 hymns. This is number 53. Point at a tick to see the hymn; click it to open that hymn.

NO. 53 · ISAAC WATTS · THIS HYMN Are all the foes of Zion fools

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