The Book of Psalms

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- Chapter 53 -

The fool says there is no God

(Psalm 14:1-7; Isaiah 59:1-17; Romans 3:9-20)

Unto the end. For Mahalath: the thoughts of David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”(a)

They were corrupted, and they became abominable with iniquities. There is no one who does good.

God gazed down from heaven on the sons of men, to see if there were any who were considering or seeking God.

All have gone astray; together they have become useless. There is no one who does good; there is not even one.

Will they never learn: all those who work iniquity, who devour my people like a meal of bread?

They have not called upon God. In that place, they have trembled in fear, where there was no fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who please men. They have been confounded, because God has spurned them.(b)

Who will grant from Zion the salvation of Israel? Jacob will exult, when God will convert the captivity of his people; and Israel will rejoice.

Footnotes

(a)52:1 Maeleth:Or Machalath. A musical instrument, or a chorus of musicians, for St. Jerome renders it, per chorum.(Challoner)

(b)52:6 God has scattered the bones, etc:That is, God has brought to nothing the strength of all those that seek to please men, to the prejudice of their duty to their Maker.(Challoner)

The fool says there is no God

(Psalm 14:1-7; Isaiah 59:1-17; Romans 3:9-20)

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity. There is no one who does good.

God looks down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there are any who understood, who seek after God.

Every one of them has gone back. They have become filthy together. There is no one who does good, no, not one.

Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and don’t call on God?

There they were in great fear, where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you. You have put them to shame, because God has rejected them.

Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back his people from captivity, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.