Psalms 53

1 To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: [there is] none that doeth good.

For the chief musician; set to Mahalath. A maschil of David. A fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt and have done abominable iniquity; there is no one who does good.

2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were [any] that did understand, that did seek God.

God looks down from heaven on the children of mankind to see if there are any who understand, who seek after him.

3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; [there is] none that doeth good, no, not one.

They have all turned away. Together they have become corrupt. There is not one who does good, not even one.

4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people [as] they eat bread: they have not called upon God.

Do those who commit iniquity have no understanding— those who devour my people as if they were eating bread and they do not call on God?

5 There were they in great fear, [where] no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth [against] thee: thou hast put [them] to shame, because God hath despised them.

They were in great fear, although no reason to fear was there; for God will scatter the bones of whoever will camp against you; such people will be put to shame because God has rejected them.

6 Oh that the salvation of Israel [were come] out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, [and] Israel shall be glad.

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! When God brings back his people from the captivity, then Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad!