Psalms 53

1 For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good.

Unto the end. For Mahalath: the thoughts of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They were corrupted, and they became abominable with iniquities. There is no one who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.

God gazed down from heaven on the sons of men, to see if there were any who were considering or seeking God.

3 All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

All have gone astray; together they have become useless. There is no one who does good; there is not even one.

4 Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon God.

Will they never learn: all those who work iniquity, who devour my people like a meal of bread?

5 There 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.

They have not called upon God. In that place, they have trembled in fear, where there was no fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who please men. They have been confounded, because God has spurned them.

6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! When God restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad!

Who will grant from Zion the salvation of Israel? Jacob will exult, when God will convert the captivity of his people; and Israel will rejoice.