1To 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.2God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.3Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.4Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.5There 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.6Oh 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.
Psalm 53
New International Reader’s Version
For the director of music. According to mahalath. A maskil of David.
1Foolish people say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’ They do all kinds of horrible and evil things. No one does anything good.2God looks down from heaven on all people. He wants to see if there are any who understand. He wants to see if there are any who trust in God.3All of them have turned away. They have all become evil. No one does anything good, no one at all.4Don’t these people who do evil know anything? They eat up my people as if they were eating bread. They never call out to God for help.5Just look at them! They are filled with terror even when there is nothing to be afraid of! People of Israel, God scattered the bones of those who attacked you. You put them to shame, because God hated them.6How I pray that the God who saves Israel will come out of Zion! God will bless his people with great success again. Then let the people of Jacob be filled with joy! Let Israel be glad!