Psalms 53

1 To the Chief Musician. On Mahalath. A Psalm of Instruction, of David. The impious hath said in his heart, There is no God! They have acted corruptly, They have wrought abominable perversity, 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, out of the heavens, looked down upon the sons of men, —To see whether there was one that showed wisdom, Enquiring after God.

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

3 They all, have turned back, together have they become tainted, —There is none that doeth good, Not so much as, one!

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

4 Are the workers of iniquity, without knowledge? Devouring my people, [as] they devour food? Upon God, have they not called.

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

5 There have they been in great dread where no dread was, Because, God, hath scattered the bones of thy besieger, —Thou hast put [him] to shame, Because, God, had, rejected, 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, out of Zion, were granted the salvations of Israel! When God bringeth back the captives of his people, Jacob, shall exult, 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!