Psalms 53

1 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.

For the music director. According to Mahalath. A psalm (maskil) of David. Only fools tell themselves, “God doesn't exist.” They are completely immoral, they commit terrible sins, not a single one of them does anything good.

2 God looked on the sons of men from the heavens, To see if there is an understanding one, [One] seeking God.

God watches from heaven to see if anyone understands, if anyone wants to come to God.

3 Everyone went back, together they became filthy, There is none doing good—not even one.

They have all fallen away, they are totally depraved; none of them does anything good, not even one.

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

“Won't these people who do evil ever learn? They consume my people as if they were eating bread, and refuse to pray to me.”

5 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.

They will become completely terrified, more frightened than they have ever been. God will scatter the bones of those who fight against you; you will defeat them because God has rejected them.

6 Who gives the salvation of Israel from Zion? When God turns back [to] a captivity of His people, Jacob rejoices—Israel is glad!

If only God's salvation would come from Zion! When God restores his people, the people of Jacob will celebrate, and the people of Israel will be glad.