Psalms 14

1 Unto the end. A Psalm of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They were corrupted, and they have become abominable in their studies. There is no one who does good; there is not even one.

For the leader. Of David. Fools say in their heart, “There is no God.” Vile, hateful their life is; not one does good.

2 The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there were any who were considering or seeking God.

From heaven the Lord looks out on humans, to see if any are wise, and care for God.

3 They have all gone astray; together they have become useless. There is no one who does good; there is not even one. Their throat is an open sepulcher. With their tongues, they have been acting deceitfully; the venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. Grief and unhappiness are in their ways; and the way of peace, they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.

But all have turned bad, the taint is on all; not one does good, no, not one.

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

Have they learned their lesson, those workers of evil? Who ate up my people, eating, devouring, never calling to the Lord.

5 They have not called upon the Lord. There, they have trembled in fear, where there was no fear.

Sore afraid will they be; for God is among those who are righteous,

6 For the Lord is with the just generation. You have confounded the counsel of the needy because the Lord is his hope.

you may mock the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge.

7 Who will grant the salvation of Israel from Zion? When the Lord turns away the captivity of his people, Jacob will exult, and Israel will rejoice.

If only help from Zion would come for Israel! When the Lord brings his people a change of fortune, how glad will be Jacob, and Israel how joyful!