Psalms 53

1 To the chief music-maker; put to Mahalath. Maschil. Of David. The foolish man has said in his heart, God will not do anything. They are unclean, they have done evil works; there is not one who does good.

“To the chief musician upon Machalath, a Maskil of David.” The worthless fool saith in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, and they are abominable [in their] injustice: there is none that doth good.

2 God was looking down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who had wisdom, searching after God.

God looketh down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there be one intelligent, one who seeketh for God.

3 Every one of them has gone back; they are unclean: there is not one who does good, no, not one.

Every one [of them] hath departed [from righteousness]; altogether are they become corrupt: there is none that doth good, no, not one.

4 Have the workers of evil no knowledge? they take my people for food, as they would take bread; they make no prayer to God.

Is there no knowledge in the workers of wickedness? who eat up my people as they eat bread: [while] they do not call on God.

5 They were in great fear, where there was no cause for fear: for the bones of those who make war on you have been broken by God; you have put them to shame, because God has no desire for them.

There were they terrified with terror where there was no terror; for God had scattered the bones of those that encamped against thee: thou didst put them to shame, because God had rejected them.

6 May the salvation of Israel come out of Zion! When the fate of his people is changed by God, Jacob will have joy, and Israel will be glad.

Oh that some one might bring the salvation of Israel out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, [then] will Jacob be glad, [and] Israel will rejoice.