Psalms 14

1 [Only] foolish people say to themselves, “There is no God!” People who say those things are corrupt/worthless; they do abominable/detestable deeds; there is not one [of them] who does what is good/right.

For the music director. A psalm 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 Yahweh looks down from heaven and sees humans; he looks to see if anyone is very wise, with the result that he desires [to know] God.

The Lord watches from heaven to see whether anyone understands—if there's anyone who wants to come to God.

3 But they are all corrupt/evil; no one does what is good/right.

They have all gone their own way, they are totally depraved; none of them does anything good, not even one.

4 Will those evil people never learn [what God will do to punish them] [RHQ]? They act violently toward Yahweh’s people while eating the food that he provides, and they never pray to Yahweh.

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

5 But [some day] they will become very terrified because God helps those who act righteously [and will punish those who reject him].

Look, they will become terrified, because God is with those who live right.

6 Those who do evil may prevent helpless people from doing what they plan to do, but Yahweh protects those helpless people [MET].

The wicked dismiss the plans of the poor people, but the Lord looks after them.

7 I wish/desire that [Yahweh] would come from Jerusalem [MTY] and rescue [us] Israeli people! Yahweh, when you bless your people again, all of us Israeli people, who are the descendants of Jacob, will rejoice.

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