< Psalms 53 >
1 “To the chief musician upon Machalath, a Maskil of David.” The worthless fool saith in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, and they are abominable [in their] injustice: there is none that doth good.
[For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Mahalath." A contemplation by David.] The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity. There is no one who does good.
2 God looketh down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there be one intelligent, one who seeketh for God.
God looks down from heaven on the descendants of Adam, to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.
3 Every one [of them] hath departed [from righteousness]; altogether are they become corrupt: there is none that doth good, no, not one.
Every one of them has gone back. They have become filthy together. There is no one who does good, no, not one.
4 Is there no knowledge in the workers of wickedness? who eat up my people as they eat bread: [while] they do not call on God.
Have evildoers no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call on God?
5 There were they terrified with terror where there was no terror; for God had scattered the bones of those that encamped against thee: thou didst put them to shame, because God had rejected them.
There they will be in great fear, where no fear had been, for God will scatter the bones of those who encamp against you. You will put them to shame, because God has rejected them.
6 Oh that some one might bring the salvation of Israel out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, [then] will Jacob be glad, [and] Israel will rejoice.
Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion. When God brings back his people from captivity, may Jacob rejoice, may Israel be glad.