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The Book of Psalms

Psalm 53

A Portrait of the Godless

For the director of music. According
to ‘Mahalath’. A Maskil of David.

1THE fool says in his heart,
 “There is no God.”

They are corrupt; they commit vile deeds;
there is no one who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven
on mankind, to see if there are any who have understanding,
any who seek after God. 3 Everyone has turned aside,
they have all become corrupted; there is no one who does good,
no, not even one. 4 Will the evildoers never understand?
They eat up My people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God! 5 Then they will be filled with terror,
terror like no other; for God will scatter the bones of those who attack you.
You will put them to shame, for God has despised them. 6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!




About Psalms Chapter 53

Book II · Psalms 42–72 — Longing for God, deliverance and royal hope

What happens

The psalm portrays the folly of denying God and the resulting corruption of human behaviour. God looks for those who understand and seek Him, and the singer yearns for salvation to come from Zion.

Why it matters

The problem of evil begins deeper than mistaken opinions: it reaches the heart and conduct. Hope requires God’s saving action rather than confidence in human goodness alone.

Key verse

“God looks down from heaven on mankind, to see if there are any who have understanding, any who seek after God.”

Psalm 53:2 · CELV

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