Psalms 53

1 To him that excelleth on Mahalath. A Psalme of David to give instruction. The foole hath saide in his heart, There is no God. they haue corrupted and done abominable wickednes: there is none that doeth good.

For the leader. On mahalath. A maskil of David. Fools say in their heart, “There is no God.” Vile, hateful their life is; not one does good.

2 God looked downe from heauen vpon the children of men, to see if there were any that would vnderstand, and seeke God.

From heaven God looks out on humans, to see if any are wise, and care for God.

3 Euery one is gone backe: they are altogether corrupt: there is none that doth good, no not one.

But all have turned bad, the taint is on all; not one does good, no, not one.

4 Doe not the workers of iniquitie knowe that they eate vp my people as they eate bread? they call not vpon God.

Have they learned their lesson, those workers of evil? Who ate up my people, eating, devouring, never calling to the Lord.

5 There they were afraide for feare, where no feare was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that besieged thee: thou hast put them to confusion, because God hath cast them off.

Sore afraid will they be, where no fear was; when God scatters the bones of the godless people. They will be put to shame, when God rejects them.

6 Oh giue saluation vnto Israel out of Zion: when God turneth the captiuitie of his people, then Iaakob shall reioyce, and Israel shalbe glad.

If only help from Zion would come for Israel! When God brings his people a change of fortune, how glad will be Jacob, and Israel how joyful!