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.

TO THE OVERSEER. “ON A DISEASE.” AN INSTRUCTION OF DAVID. A fool said in his heart, “There is no God.” They have done corruptly, Indeed, they have done abominable iniquity, There is none doing 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 looked on the sons of men from the heavens, To see if there is an understanding one, [One] seeking God.

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

Everyone went back, together they became filthy, There is none doing good—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.

Workers of iniquity have not known, Those eating my people have eaten bread, They have not called God.

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.

There they feared a fear—there was no fear, For God has scattered the bones of him Who is encamping against you, You have put to shame, For God has despised 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 gives the salvation of Israel from Zion? When God turns back [to] a captivity of His people, Jacob rejoices—Israel is glad!