Psalms 53

1 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.

The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity. There is none who does good.

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

God looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there were any who understood, who seek after God.

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

Every one of them has gone back. They have together become filthy. There is none who does good, no, not one.

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

Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon God?

5 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.

There they were in great fear, where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against thee. Thou have put them to shame because God has rejected them.

6 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!

O that the salvation of Israel came out of Zion! When God brings back the captivity of his people, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.