Psalm 53

1    The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’  ♦

Corrupt are they, and abominable in their wickedness;

    there is no one that does good.

2    God has looked down from heaven upon the children of earth,  ♦

to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks after God.

3    They are all gone out of the way;

    all alike have become corrupt;  ♦

there is no one that does good, no not one.

4  Have they no knowledge, those evildoers,  ♦

who eat up my people as if they ate bread,

    and do not call upon God?

5    There shall they be in great fear,

    such fear as never was;  ♦

for God will scatter the bones of the ungodly.

6    They will be put to shame,  ♦

because God has rejected them.

7    O that Israel’s salvation would come out of Zion!  ♦

When God restores the fortunes of his people

    then will Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000 and published by Church House Publishing.