Psalm 53

A Portrait of Sinners

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

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.a

2God looks down from heaven on the human raceA

to see if there is one who is wise,

one who seeks God.a

3All have turned away;

all alike have become corrupt.

There is no one who does good,

not even one.a

4Will evildoers never understand?

They consume my people as they consume bread;a

they do not call on God.b

5Then they will be filled with dread —

dread like no othera —

because God will scatter

the bones of those who besiege you.b

You will put them to shame,

for God has rejected them.c

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

When God restores the fortunes of his people,A

let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.a