Psalms 53

1 To the chief Musician. On Mahalath: an instruction. Of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God! They have corrupted themselves, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

For the leader. On mahalath. A maskil of David. Fools say in their heart, ‘There is no God.’ Vile, hateful their life is; not one does good.

2 God looked down from the heavens upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

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

3 Every one of them is gone back, they are together become corrupt: there is none that doeth good, not even one.

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

4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, eating up my people [as] they eat bread? they call not upon God.

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

5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was; for God scattereth the bones of him that encampeth against thee. Thou hast put [them] to shame, for God hath despised them.

Sore afraid will they be, where no fear was; when God scatters the bones of the godless people. They will be put to shame, when God rejects them.

6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God turneth again the captivity of his people, Jacob shall be glad, Israel shall rejoice.

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