Psalm 53

A Portrait of Sinners

For the choir director: on Mahalath. m A Maskil of David.

1   The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.”

They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds.

There is no one who does good. n

2   God looks down from heaven on the human race Z

to see if there is one who is wise,

one who seeks God. o

3   All have turned away;

all alike have become corrupt.

There is no one who does good,

not even one. p

4   Will evildoers never understand?

They consume my people as they consume bread; q

they do not call on God. r

5   Then they will be filled with dread—

dread like no other s—

because God will scatter

the bones of those who besiege you. t

You will put them to shame,

for God has rejected them. u

6   Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come from Zion!

When God restores the fortunes of his people, A

let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. v