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.

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

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

3 They have all fallen away, they are totally depraved; none of them does anything 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 “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.”

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 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, 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 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.

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!