Psalm 53[a](A)

For the director of music. According to mahalath.[b] A maskil[c] of David.

The fool(B) says in his heart,
    “There is no God.”(C)
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
    there is no one who does good.

God looks down from heaven(D)
    on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,(E)
    any who seek God.(F)
Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
    there is no one who does good,
    not even one.(G)

Do all these evildoers know nothing?

They devour my people as though eating bread;
    they never call on God.
But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
    where there was nothing to dread.(H)
God scattered the bones(I) of those who attacked you;(J)
    you put them to shame,(K) for God despised them.(L)

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When God restores his people,
    let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 53:1 In Hebrew texts 53:1-6 is numbered 53:2-7.
  2. Psalm 53:1 Title: Probably a musical term
  3. Psalm 53:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term

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