Psalm 53: The Fool Hath Said, There Is No God
A short psalm on universal corruption and the longed-for salvation of Israel.
Psalm 53 opens with the blunt line, 'The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God,' describing people as corrupt and abominable in their iniquity. It largely parallels Psalm 14, and follows the olive-tree confidence of Psalms 52.
To him that excelleth on Mahalath. A Psalme of David to give instruction. The foole hath saide in his heart, There is no God. they haue corrupted and done abominable wickednes: there is none that doeth good.
God looked downe from heauen vpon the children of men, to see if there were any that would vnderstand, and seeke God.
Euery one is gone backe: they are altogether corrupt: there is none that doth good, no not one.
Doe not the workers of iniquitie knowe that they eate vp my people as they eate bread? they call not vpon God.
There they were afraide for feare, where no feare was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that besieged thee: thou hast put them to confusion, because God hath cast them off.
Oh giue saluation vnto Israel out of Zion: when God turneth the captiuitie of his people, then Iaakob shall reioyce, and Israel shalbe glad.