Psalms 53

1 To the Chief Musician. On Mahalath. A Psalm of Instruction, of David. The impious hath said in his heart, There is no God! They have acted corruptly, They have wrought abominable perversity, There is none that doeth good: —

For the music director. According to Mahalath. A psalm (maskil) of David. Only fools tell themselves, “God doesn't exist.” They are completely immoral, they commit terrible sins, not a single one of them does anything good.

2 God, out of the heavens, looked down upon the sons of men, —To see whether there was one that showed wisdom, Enquiring after God.

God watches from heaven to see if anyone understands, if anyone wants to come to God.

3 They all, have turned back, together have they become tainted, —There is none that doeth good, Not so much as, one!

They have all fallen away, they are totally depraved; none of them does anything good, not even one.

4 Are the workers of iniquity, without knowledge? Devouring my people, [as] they devour food? Upon God, have they not called.

“Won't these people who do evil ever learn? They consume my people as if they were eating bread, and refuse to pray to me.”

5 There have they been in great dread where no dread was, Because, God, hath scattered the bones of thy besieger, —Thou hast put [him] to shame, Because, God, had, rejected, them.

They will become completely terrified, more frightened than they have ever been. God will scatter the bones of those who fight against you; you will defeat them because God has rejected them.

6 Oh that, out of Zion, were granted the salvations of Israel! When God bringeth back the captives of his people, Jacob, shall exult, Israel, shall be glad.

If only God's salvation would come from Zion! When God restores his people, the people of Jacob will celebrate, and the people of Israel will be glad.