Psalms 53

1 For the music director. According to Mahalath. A psalm (maskil) 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.

The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity. There is none who does good.

2 God watches from heaven to see if anyone understands, if anyone wants to come to God.

God looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there were any who understood, who seek after God.

3 They have all fallen away, they are totally depraved; none of them does anything good, not even one.

Every one of them has gone back. They have together become filthy. There is none who does good, no, not one.

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 me.”

Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon God?

5 They will become completely terrified, more frightened than they have ever been. God will scatter the bones of those who fight against you; you will defeat them because God has rejected them.

There they were in great fear, where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against thee. Thou have put them to shame because God has rejected them.

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

O that the salvation of Israel came out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of his people, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.