Psalms 53

1 Unto the end, for Maeleth, understandings to David. The fool said in his heart: There is no God. They are corrupted, and become abominable in iniquities: there is none that doth good.

For the leader. On mahalath. A maskil of David. Fools say in their heart, ‘There is no God.’ Vile, hateful their life is; not one does good.

2 God looked down from heaven on the children of men: to see if there were any that did understand, or did seek God.

From heaven God looks out on humans, to see if any are wise, and care for God.

3 All have gone aside, they are become unprofitable together, there is none that doth good, no not one.

But all have turned bad, the taint is on all; not one does good, no, not one.

4 Shall not all the workers of iniquity know, who eat up my people as they eat bread?

Have they learned their lesson, those workers of evil? Who ate up my people, eating, devouring, never calling to the Lord.

5 They have not called upon God: there have they trembled for fear, where there was no fear. For God hath scattered the bones of them that please men: they have been confounded, because God hath despised them.

Sore afraid will they be, where no fear was; when God scatters the bones of the godless people. They will be put to shame, when God rejects them.

6 Who will give out of Sion the salvation of Israel? when God shall bring back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

If only help from Zion would come for Israel! When God brings his people a change of fortune, how glad will be Jacob, and Israel how joyful!