(A special psalm by David for the music leader. To the tune “Mahalath”.Psalm 53 Mahalath: Or “For flutes”, one possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.)

No one can ignore God

1Only a fool would say,53.1-3: Ro 3.10-12.

“There is no God!”

People like that are worthless!

They are heartless and cruel

and never do right.

2From heaven God

looks down to see

if anyone is wise enough

to search for him.

3But all of them

are crooked and corrupt.

Not one of them does right.

4Won't you lawbreakers learn?

You refuse to pray,

and you gobble up

the people of God.

5But you will be more terrified

than ever before.

God will scatter the bones

of his enemies,

and you will be ashamed

when God rejects you.

6I long for someone from Zion

to come and save Israel!

Our God, when you bless

your people again,

Jacob's family will be glad,

and Israel will celebrate.