53
Psalm 53 – The Folly of Denying God 
For the leader. On mahalath. A maskil of David. 
 1 Fools say in their heart, 
“There is no God.” 
Vile, hateful their life is; 
not one does good. 
 2 From heaven God looks out 
on humans, to see 
if any are wise, 
and care for God. 
 3 But all have turned bad, 
the taint is on all; 
not one does good, 
no, not one. 
 4 Have they learned their lesson, 
those workers of evil? 
Who ate up my people, 
eating, devouring, 
never calling to the Lord. 
 5 Sore afraid will they be, 
where no fear was; 
when God scatters the bones 
of the godless people. 
They will be put to shame, 
when God rejects them. 
 6 If only help from Zion 
would come for Israel! 
When God brings his people 
a change of fortune, 
how glad will be Jacob, 
and Israel how joyful!