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 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 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 on the descendants of Adam, to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God.

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

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

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

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

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 out of Zion. When God brings back his people from captivity, may Jacob rejoice, may Israel be glad.