Psalm 53

A Portrait of Sinners

^{Tools
1} For the choir director: on Mahalath.^(a)^(A) A Davidic Maskil.

The fool says in his heart, “God does not exist.”
They are corrupt, and they do vile deeds.
There is no one who does good.^(B)

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2}

God looks down from heaven on the human race
to see if there is one who is wise,
one who seeks God.^(C)

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3}

All have turned away;
all alike have become corrupt.
There is no one who does good,
not even one.^(D)

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4}

Will evildoers never understand?
They consume My people as they consume bread;^(E)
they do not call on God.^(F)

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5}

Then they will be filled with terror—
terror like no other^(G)—
because God will scatter
the bones of those who besiege you.^(H)
You will put them to shame,
for God has rejected them.^(I)

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6}

Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come from Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of His people,^(b)
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.^(J)

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 53:1: Perhaps a tune, a musical instrument, or a dance; this may be related to Hb word for “sickness.”

b. Psalm 53:6: Or restores His captive people

Cross references:

B. Psalm 53:1: Psalm 10:4; Psalm 14:1

C. Psalm 53:2: Psalm 33:13-15

D. Psalm 53:2: Romans 3:10-12

E. Psalm 53:4: Psalm 27:2

F. Psalm 53:4: Isaiah 64:7

G. Psalm 53:5: Leviticus 26:36

H. Psalm 53:5: Jeremiah 8:1-2

I. Psalm 53:5: Psalm 44:7

J. Psalm 53:6: Psalm 14:7; Isaiah 52:7-9; Jeremiah 30:18-19