Psalms 53

1 To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity: [there is] none that doeth good.

For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good.

2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were [any] that did understand, that did seek God.

God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God.

3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.

All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread! they have not called upon God.

Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon God.

5 There they were in great fear, [where] no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth [against] thee: thou hast put [them] to shame, because God hath despised them.

There they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who besieged you. You put them to shame, for God has despised them.

6 O that the salvation of Israel [were come] out of Zion! when God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad.

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! When God restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad!