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

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

3 Every one went back, together they became filthy, There is none doing good — not even 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 not workers of iniquity known, Those eating my people have eaten bread, God they have not called.

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

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 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.

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 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.