Comparing Two Psalms

The following two Psalms are very similar. Psalm 14 and Psalm 53.

I turned today to read Psalm 53 just as part of daily reading. I think something distracted me, and then I began to read. I thought I had turned to Psalm 14 (which I recently memorized). After I checked, it was only then that I realized these two Psalms have the same beginning. I read Psalm 53 and noticed they are uncannily similar through the first four verses (in those 4 verses I think only one place where YHWH is used in ψ14 but Elohim is used in ψ53). After verse 4, verse 5-6 of ψ14 is different than verse 5 of ψ53, yet they both end again nearly identically (again a YHWH and Elohim switch — otherwise the final verse is identical). The numbering (vv5-6 of ψ14 as two verses where there is just v5 in ψ53 while the content is poetically similar) shows, perhaps, that whomever added numbers may not have made this connection or, presumably they may have desired to make the verse numbers more consistent between the two — so similar Psalms.

{There is, of course a numbering between the LXX and the Masoretic text [Protestant Bibles use the numbering of the LXX] where consulting or reading in Hebrew can lead to verse number confusion if one is not aware [I think this only occurs on Psalms with headings]. The LXX/Masoretic numbering quirk is not the verse numbering to which I was referring.}

Why did I write about this? I don’t know. It’s just a new discovery. I have read through Psalms before. It was, however, only after memorizing Psalm 14 have I noticed these two nearly identical Psalms. I continue to see benefits from my endeavors in memorizing the Psalms which I have learned (i.e., I noticed something that I might have previously read but had not seen this fascinating detail). I am now up to almost 18 Psalms which I have committed to memory (I am starting to work on a plan to consistently review so I do not lose what I have gained). If you are new, I invite you to read my post about memorizing Psalms —(https://listed.to/@Qoheleth/65555/memorizing-psalms)

Here are these two Psalms for comparison.

Ψ14.

To the leader. Of David.

1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good.

2 The LORD looks down from heaven on humanity to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.

3 They have all gone astray; they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one.

4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD? 5 There they shall be in great terror, for God is with the company of the righteous. 6 You would confound the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.

7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.

ψ53

To the leader: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.

1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; they commit abominable acts; there is no one who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven on humanity to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.

3 They have all fallen away; they are all alike perverse; there is no one who does good, no, not one. 4 Have they no knowledge, those evildoers, who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon God? 5 There they shall be in great terror, in terror such as has not been. For God will scatter the bones of the ungodly; they will be put to shame, for God has rejected them.

6 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.