Old Testament
Psalms 53
Overview
Psalm 53 is a sobering wisdom psalm on the universal corruption of the human race: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" God looks down from heaven to find anyone who seeks Him and concludes that all have turned aside; none does good, not even one. Yet the psalm ends with a cry for salvation to come out of Zion and the joyful hope of restoration for God's people.
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.