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.

“To the chief musician upon Machalath, a Maskil of David.” The worthless fool saith in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, and they are abominable [in their] injustice: there is none that doth good.

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

God looketh down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there be one intelligent, one who seeketh for God.

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

Every one [of them] hath departed [from righteousness]; altogether are they become corrupt: there is none that doth 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.

Is there no knowledge in the workers of wickedness? who eat up my people as they eat bread: [while] they do not call on 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 were they terrified with terror where there was no terror; for God had scattered the bones of those that encamped against thee: thou didst put them to shame, because God had 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!

Oh that some one might bring the salvation of Israel out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, [then] will Jacob be glad, [and] Israel will rejoice.