Mazmur 53:2-4

53:2 God looks down from heaven ¹  at the human race, ² 

to see if there is anyone who is wise ³  and seeks God. ⁴ 

53:3 Everyone rejects God; ⁵ 

they are all morally corrupt. ⁶ 

None of them does what is right, ⁷ 

not even one!

53:4 All those who behave wickedly ⁸  do not understand ⁹  –

those who devour my people as if they were eating bread,

and do not call out to God.

[53:2]  ¹ sn The picture of the Lord looking down from heaven draws attention to his sovereignty over the world.

[53:2]  ² tn Heb “upon the sons of man.”

[53:2]  ³ tn Or “acts wisely.” The Hiphil is exhibitive.

[53:2]  ⁴ tn That is, who seeks to have a relationship with God by obeying and worshiping him.

[53:3]  ⁵ tn Heb “all of it turns away.” Ps 14:1 has הָכֹּל (hakkol) instead of כֻּלּוֹ, and סָר (sar, “turn aside”) instead of סָג (sag, “turn away”).

[53:3]  ⁶ tn Heb “together they are corrupt.”

[53:3]  ⁷ tn Heb “there is none that does good.”

[53:4]  ⁸ tn Heb “the workers of wickedness.” See Pss 5:5; 6:8. Ps 14:4 adds כֹּל (kol, “all of”) before “workers of wickedness.”

[53:4]  ⁹ tn Heb “Do they not understand?” The rhetorical question expresses the psalmist’s amazement at their apparent lack of understanding. This may refer to their lack of moral understanding, but it more likely refers to their failure to anticipate God’s defense of his people (see vv. 5-6).