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

God looks down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there are any who understood, who seek after God.

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

Every one of them has gone back. They have become filthy together. There is no one who does good, no, not one.

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

Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and don’t call on God?

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.

There they were in great fear, where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you. You have put them to shame, 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!

Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back his people from captivity, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.