Psalms 53

1 To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: [there is] none that doeth good.

Unto the end. For Mahalath: the thoughts of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They were corrupted, and they became abominable with iniquities. There is no one who does good.

2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were [any] that did understand, that did seek God.

God gazed down from heaven on the sons of men, to see if there were any who were considering or seeking God.

3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.

All have gone astray; together they have become useless. There is no one who does good; there is not even one.

4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

Will they never learn: all those who work iniquity, who devour my people like a meal of bread?

5 There were they in great fear, [where] no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth [against] thee: thou hast put [them] to shame, because God hath despised them.

They have not called upon God. In that place, they have trembled in fear, where there was no fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who please men. They have been confounded, because God has spurned them.

6 Oh that the salvation of Israel [were come] out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad.

Who will grant from Zion the salvation of Israel? Jacob will exult, when God will convert the captivity of his people; and Israel will rejoice.