Psalm 53
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Psalm 53
A Portrait of Sinners
For the choir director: on Mahalath.[a](A) A Davidic Maskil.
1 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)
2 God looks down from heaven on the human race
to see if there is one who is wise,
one who seeks God.(C)
3 All have turned away;
all alike have become corrupt.
There is no one who does good,
not even one.(D)
4 Will evildoers never understand?
They consume My people as they consume bread;(E)
they do not call on God.(F)
5 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)
6 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
- Psalm 53:1 Perhaps a tune, a musical instrument, or a dance; this may be related to Hb word for “sickness.”
- Psalm 53:6 Or restores His captive people
Psalm 53
International Standard Version
To the Director: Upon machalath.[a] A Davidic instruction.[b]
The Fool and God’s Response
53 Fools say to themselves “There is no God.”
They are corrupt and commit iniquity;
not one of them practices what is good.
2 God looks down from the heavens upon humanity[c]
to see if anyone shows discernment as he searches for God.
3 All of them[d] have fallen away;
together they have become corrupt;
no one does what is good, not even one.
4 Will those who do evil ever learn?
They devour my people like they devour bread,
and never call on God.
5 There the Israelis[e] were seized with terror,
when there was nothing to fear.
For God scattered the bones of those who laid siege against you[f]—
you put them to shame,[g]
for God rejected them.
6 Would that Israel’s deliverance come out of Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad.[h]
Footnotes
- Psalm 53:1 A Heb. musical term
- Psalm 53:1 Lit. maskil
- Psalm 53:2 Lit. upon the sons of Adam
- Psalm 53:3 So MT; DSS 4QPsa lack of them
- Psalm 53:5 Lit. they
- Psalm 53:5 So MT DSS 4QPsa; LXX reads of men pleasers
- Psalm 53:5 So MT DSS 4QPsa; LXX reads they were put to shame
- Psalm 53:6 Cf. Ps 14:1-7
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