Psalms 53:1-3

For the director of music. According to mahalath. A maskil of David.

1 ^[a][b][c]The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

Psalms 53:1-3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 53:1-3 In-Context

1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

4 Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on God.

5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; you put them to shame, for God despised them.

6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 74:22; Psalms 107:17; Proverbs 10:23; Psalms 14:1-7; Romans 3:10
• 2. Psalms 10:4
• 3. S Psalms 33:13
• 4. Psalms 82:5; Jeremiah 4:22; Jeremiah 8:8
• 5. 2 Chronicles 15:2
• 6. Romans 3:10-12*

Footnotes

• [a]. In Hebrew texts 53:1-6 is numbered 53:2-7.
• [b]. Title: Probably a musical term
• [c]. Title: Probably a literary or musical term