Psalm 53

Refrain:    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

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. [R]

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.

Refrain:    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Without you, O God, nothing is real,

all things are open to corruption

and we are deadened by deceit;

do not abandon us to our folly,

but give us hearts that seek you

and, at the last, joy in your heavenly city;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Common Worship: Daily Prayer, material from which is included here,
is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2005 and published by Church House Publishing.

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