14
The Fool Says There Is No God
(Psalms 53:1–6; Isaiah 59:1–17; Romans 3:9–20)
For the choirmaster. Of David.
1 The fool * says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt; their acts are vile.
There is no one who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven
upon the sons of men
to see if any understand,
if any seek God.
3 All have turned away,
they have together become corrupt;†
there is no one who does good,
not even one.‡
4 Will the workers of iniquity never learn?
They devour my people like bread;
they refuse to call upon the LORD.
5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread,
for God is in the company of the righteous.
6 You sinners frustrate the plans of the oppressed,
yet the LORD is their shelter.
7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion!
When the LORD restores His captive people,
let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad!
* 14:1 The Hebrew words rendered fool throughout the Psalms denote one who is morally deficient. † 14:3 LXX worthless ‡ 14:3 Cited in Romans 3:10–12