< Psalms 14 >
1 To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good.
For the leader. Of David. Fools say in their heart, “There is no God.” Vile, hateful their life is; not one does good.
2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, [and] seek God.
From heaven the Lord looks out on humans, to see if any are wise, and care for God.
3 They are all gone aside, they are [all] together become filthy: [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.
But all have turned bad, the taint is on all; not one does good, no, not one.
4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.
Have they learned their lesson, those workers of evil? Who ate up my people, eating, devouring, never calling to the Lord.
5 There were they in great fear: for God [is] in the generation of the righteous.
Sore afraid will they be; for God is among those who are righteous,
6 Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD [is] his refuge.
you may mock the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge.
7 Oh that the salvation of Israel [were come] out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad.
If only help from Zion would come for Israel! When the Lord brings his people a change of fortune, how glad will be Jacob, and Israel how joyful!