Psalms 14

1 For the music director. A psalm of David. Only fools tell themselves, “God doesn't exist.” They are completely immoral; they commit terrible sins; not a single one of them does anything good.

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.

2 The Lord watches from heaven to see whether anyone understands—if there's anyone who wants to come to God.

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

3 They have all gone their own way, they are totally depraved; none of them does anything good, not even one.

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.

4 Won't these people who do evil ever learn? They consume my people as if they were eating bread, and refuse to pray to the Lord.

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

5 Look, they will become terrified, because God is with those who live right.

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

6 The wicked dismiss the plans of the poor people, but the Lord looks after them.

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

7 If only the Lord's salvation would come from Zion! When the Lord restores his people, the people of Jacob will celebrate, and the people of Israel will be glad.

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.