Psalm 53

To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David.

1        That there is not a God, the fool

                   doth in his heart conclude:

          They are corrupt, their works are vile,

                   not one of them doth good.

2        The Lord upon the sons of men

                   from heav'n did cast his eyes,

          To see if any one there was

                   that sought God, and was wise.

3        They altogether filthy are,

                   they all are backward gone;

          And there is none that doeth good,

                   no, not so much as one.

4        These workers of iniquity,

                   do they not know at all,

          That they my people eat as bread,

                   and on God do not call?

5        Ev'n there they were afraid, and stood

                   with trembling, all dismay'd,

          Whereas there was no cause at all

                   why they should be afraid:

          For God his bones that thee besieg'd

                   hath scatter'd all abroad;

          Thou hast confounded them, for they

                   despised are of God.

6        Let Isr'el's help from Sion come:

                   when back the Lord shall bring

          His captives, Jacob shall rejoice,

                   and Israel shall sing.