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

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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 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.

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!