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.

To the chief music-maker; put to Mahalath. Maschil. Of David. The foolish man has said in his heart, God will not do anything. They are unclean, they have done evil works; there is not one who does good.

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

God was looking down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who had wisdom, searching 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 are unclean: there is not one 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 evil no knowledge? they take my people for food, as they would take bread; they make no prayer to 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.

They were in great fear, where there was no cause for fear: for the bones of those who make war on you have been broken by God; you have put them to shame, because God has no desire for 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.

May the salvation of Israel come out of Zion! When the fate of his people is changed by God, Jacob will have joy, and Israel will be glad.