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.

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: —

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

God, out of the heavens, looked down upon the sons of men, —To see whether there was one that showed wisdom, Enquiring after God.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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.