Psalms 53

1 To the Overseer. — 'On a disease.' — An instruction, by David. A fool said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They have done corruptly, Yea, they have done abominable iniquity, There is none doing good.

For the music director. According to Mahalath. A psalm (maskil) of David. Only fools tell themselves, “God doesn't exist.” They are completely immoral, they commit terrible sins, not a single one of them does anything good.

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

God watches from heaven to see if anyone understands, if anyone wants to come to God.

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

They have all fallen away, they are totally depraved; none of them does anything good, not even one.

4 Have not workers of iniquity known, Those eating my people have eaten bread, God they have not called.

“Won't these people who do evil ever learn? They consume my people as if they were eating bread, and refuse to pray to me.”

5 There they feared a fear — there was no fear, For God hath scattered the bones of him Who is encamping against thee, Thou hast put to shame, For God hath despised them.

They will become completely terrified, more frightened than they have ever been. God will scatter the bones of those who fight against you; you will defeat them because God has rejected them.

6 Who doth give from Zion the salvation of Israel? When God turneth back [to] a captivity of His people, Jacob doth rejoice — Israel is glad!

If only God's salvation would come from Zion! When God restores his people, the people of Jacob will celebrate, and the people of Israel will be glad.