King James Version
Psalm 53
Reflecting on human corruption, Psalm 53 closely mirrors Psalm 14 by lamenting a world where people ignore moral accountability. Positioned among individual and communal laments in Book Two, this wisdom psalm portrays spiritual folly as a practical lifestyle that harms others. The text describes how workers of iniquity devour people while ignoring spiritual truth, yet it ends with hope for restoration and collective gladness when captivity resolves. The opening verse presents its foundational insight: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God."
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
6 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.
GO DEEPER
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