Psalms 53

1 [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.

For the chief musician; set to Mahalath. A maschil of David. A fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt and have done abominable iniquity; there is no one who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven on the descendants of Adam, to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.

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

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

They have all turned away. Together they have become corrupt. There is not one who does good, not even one.

4 Have evildoers no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call on God?

Do those who commit iniquity have no understanding— those who devour my people as if they were eating bread and they do not call on God?

5 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.

They were in great fear, although no reason to fear was there; for God will scatter the bones of whoever will camp against you; such people will be put to shame because God has rejected them.

6 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.

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