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.

Unto the end. For Mahalath: the thoughts of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They were corrupted, and they became abominable with iniquities. There is no one who does good.

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

God gazed down from heaven on the sons of men, to see if there were any who were considering or seeking God.

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

All have gone astray; together they have become useless. There is no one who does good; there is not even one.

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

Will they never learn: all those who work iniquity, who devour my people like a meal of bread?

5 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.

They have not called upon God. In that place, they have trembled in fear, where there was no fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who please men. They have been confounded, because God has spurned them.

6 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.

Who will grant from Zion the salvation of Israel? Jacob will exult, when God will convert the captivity of his people; and Israel will rejoice.