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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

For the choir director: A meditation; a psalm[a] of David.

Only fools say in their hearts,
    “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
    not one of them does good!

God looks down from heaven
    on the entire human race;
he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,
    if anyone seeks God.
But no, all have turned away;
    all have become corrupt.[b]
No one does good,
    not a single one!

Will those who do evil never learn?
    They eat up my people like bread
    and wouldn’t think of praying to God.
Terror will grip them,
    terror like they have never known before.
God will scatter the bones of your enemies.
    You will put them to shame, for God has rejected them.

Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?
    When God restores his people,
    Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

Footnotes

  1. 53:Title Hebrew According to mahalath; a maskil. These may be literary or musical terms.
  2. 53:3 Greek version reads have become useless. Compare Rom 3:12.