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For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Mahalath.” A contemplation by David.

53 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.
God looks down from heaven on the children of men,
    to see if there are any who understood,
    who seek after God.
Every one of them has gone back.
    They have become filthy together.
    There is no one who does good, no, not one.
Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge,
    who eat up my people as they eat bread,
    and don’t call on God?
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.
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.

Psalm 53

A Portrait of Sinners

For the choir director: on Mahalath.[a](A) A Davidic Maskil.

The fool says in his heart, “God does not exist.”
They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds.
There is no one who does good.(B)
God looks down from heaven on the human race
to see if there is one who is wise,
one who seeks God.(C)
All have turned away;
all alike have become corrupt.
There is no one who does good,
not even one.(D)

Will evildoers never understand?
They consume My people as they consume bread;(E)
they do not call on God.(F)
Then they will be filled with terror—
terror like no other(G)
because God will scatter
the bones of those who besiege you.(H)
You will put them to shame,
for God has rejected them.(I)

Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come from Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of His people,[b]
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.(J)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 53:1 Perhaps a tune, a musical instrument, or a dance; this may be related to Hb word for “sickness.”
  2. Psalm 53:6 Or restores His captive people