Folly and Wickedness of Men.

To the Chief Musician; in a mournful strain. A skillful song, or didactic or reflective poem of David.

1The [empty-headed] fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”

They are corrupt and evil, and have committed repulsive injustice;

There is no one who does good.

2God has looked down from heaven upon the children of men

To see if there is anyone who understands,

Who seeks after God [who requires Him, who longs for Him as essential to life].

3Every one of them has turned aside and fallen away;

Together they have become filthy and corrupt;

There is no one who does good, no, not even one.

4Have workers of wickedness no knowledge or no understanding?

They eat up My people as though they ate bread

And have not called upon God.

5There they were, in great terror and dread, where there had been no terror or dread;

For God scattered the bones of him who besieged you;

You have put them to shame, because God has rejected them.

6Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!

When God restores [the fortunes of] His people,

Let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.