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Psalms Chapter 53 (JPS)

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Psalm 53: The Fool Hath Said, There Is No God

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1 For the Leader; upon Mahalath. Maschil of David.

2 The fool hath said in his heart: 'There is no G-d'; they have dealt corruptly, and have done abominable iniquity; there is none that doeth good.

3 G-d looked forth from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any man of understanding, that did seek after G-d.

4 Every one of them is unclean, they are together become impure; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

5 'Shall not the workers of iniquity know it, who eat up My people as they eat bread, and call not upon G-d?'

6 There are they in great fear, where no fear was; for G-d hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee; Thou hast put them to shame, because G-d hath rejected them.

7 Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When G-d turneth the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalm 53 about?

Psalm 53 opens with the declaration 'The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God' (v.1), describing universal corruption -- 'there is none that doeth good, no, not one' (v.3) -- and closes with hope for Israel's restoration (v.6).

What does the psalm say God observed from heaven?

Verse 2 says 'God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God,' finding none who did (v.3).

How does the psalm end?

It ends with a longing for salvation: 'Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion!... Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad' (v.6), a call to seek God echoed in Isaiah 55:6.

Today's Verse

But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.

1-kings 12:17 | ASV

Verse Of The Day

God looks down from heaven seeking any who understand or seek Him, finding none, yet the psalm ends longing for salvation to come 'out of Zion,' a hope echoed at Isaiah 55:6. The cry for deliverance continues directly into Psalms 54.