Psalms 53

1 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.

For the chief musician; set to Mahalath. A maschil of David. A fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt and have done abominable iniquity; there is no one who does good.

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

God looks down from heaven on the children of mankind to see if there are any who understand, who seek after him.

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

They have all turned away. Together they have become corrupt. There is not one who does good, not even one.

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

Do those who commit iniquity have no understanding— those who devour my people as if they were eating bread and they do not call on God?

5 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.

They were in great fear, although no reason to fear was there; for God will scatter the bones of whoever will camp against you; such people will be put to shame because God has rejected them.

6 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.

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! When God brings back his people from the captivity, then Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad!