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Psalm 53 - International Standard Version (ISV)

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To the Director: Upon machalath.[a] A Davidic instruction.[b]

The Fool and God’s Response

53 Fools say to themselves “There is no God.”
They are corrupt and commit iniquity;
not one of them practices what is good.

2 God looks down from the heavens upon humanity[c]
to see if anyone shows discernment as he searches for God.
3 All of them[d] have fallen away;
together they have become corrupt;
no one does what is good, not even one.

4 Will those who do evil ever learn?
They devour my people like they devour bread,
and never call on God.
5 There the Israelis[e] were seized with terror,
when there was nothing to fear.
For God scattered the bones of those who laid siege against you[f]—
you put them to shame,[g]
for God rejected them.

6 Would that Israel’s deliverance come out of Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice and Israel will be glad.[h]

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 53:1 A Heb. musical term
  2. Psalm 53:1 Lit. maskil
  3. Psalm 53:2 Lit. upon the sons of Adam
  4. Psalm 53:3 So MT; DSS 4QPsa lack of them
  5. Psalm 53:5 Lit. they
  6. Psalm 53:5 So MT DSS 4QPsa; LXX reads of men pleasers
  7. Psalm 53:5 So MT DSS 4QPsa; LXX reads they were put to shame
  8. Psalm 53:6 Cf. Ps 14:1-7

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53 To the Overseer. -- `On a disease.' -- An instruction, by David. A fool said in his heart, `There is no God.' They have done corruptly, Yea, they have done abominable iniquity, There is none doing good. 2 God from the heavens looked on the sons of men, To see if there be an understanding one, [On...
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Psalm 53 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

53 To the overcomer by the quire, the learning of David. The unwise man said in his heart, God is not. They be corrupt, and made abominable in their wickednesses; none is that doeth good. (To the overcomer, or the victor, the teaching of David. The fool said in his heart, There is no God. Such men b...
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Psalm 53 - World English Bible (WEB)

For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Mahalath.” A contemplation by David.53 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity. There is no one who does good.2 God looks down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there are any who unders...
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Psalm 53 - The Voice (VOICE)

Psalm 53For the worship leader. A contemplative song[a] of David. A song for the dance.[b]1 The foolish are convinced deep down that there is no God. Their souls are polluted, and they commit gross injustice. Not one of them does good. 2 From heaven the one True God examines the earth to see if any ...
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Psalm 53 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

A Fool Denies GodPsalm 531 For the music director: on Mahalath, a contemplative song of David.2 The fool says in his heart:“There is no God.”They are corrupt, commit vile injustice.There is no one who does good.3 God looks down from the heavenson the children of men, to see if anyone understands, wh...
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Psalm 53 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Denunciation of GodlessnessTo the choirmaster: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.53 The fool says in his heart,“There is no God.”They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none that does good. 2 God looks down from heaven upon the sons of mento see if there are any that are wise, t...
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Psalm 53 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Denunciation of GodlessnessTo the choirmaster: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.53 The fool says in his heart,“There is no God.”They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none that does good. 2 God looks down from heaven upon the sons of mento see if there are any that are wise, t...
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Psalm 53 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Psalm 53Denunciation of GodlessnessTo the leader: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they commit abominable acts; there is no one who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who...
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Psalm 53 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Psalm 53Denunciation of GodlessnessTo the leader: according to Mahalath. A Maskil of David.1 Fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they commit abominable acts; there is no one who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who...
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Psalm 53 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

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Psalm 53 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 53For the choir director: A meditation; a psalm[a] of David.1 Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good! 2 God looks down from heaven on the entire human race;he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seek...
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Psalm 53 - New Life Version (NLV)

Foolish Men53 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are sinful and have done bad things. There is no one who does good. 2 God has looked down from heaven at the children of men to see if there is anyone who understands and looks for God. 3 They have all turned back. They have all...
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Psalm 53 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Folly of the Godless, and the Restoration of Israel(A)To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath.” A [a]Contemplation of David.53 The (B)fool has said in his heart,“There is no God.”They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity;(C)There is none who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven upon the...
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Psalm 53 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Psalm 53[a]For the director of music. According to mahalath.[b] A maskil[c] of David.1 The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven on all mankindto see if there are any who understand, any who se...
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Psalm 53 - New International Version (NIV)

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Psalm 53 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Psalm 53For the director of music. According to mahalath. A maskil of David.1 Foolish people say in their hearts, “There is no God.”They do all kinds of horrible and evil things. No one does anything good. 2 God looks down from heaven on all people.He wants to see if there are any who understand. He...
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Psalm 53 - New English Translation (NET)

Psalm 53[a]For the music director, according to the machalath style;[b] a well-written song[c] by David.53 Fools say to themselves,[d] “There is no God.”[e]They sin and commit evil deeds;[f]none of them does what is right.[g]2 God looks down from heaven[h] at the human race,[i]to see if there is any...
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