1 T he fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable deeds; there is none that does good or right.

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are sinful and their actions are sinful. There is no one who does good.

2 T he Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any who understood, dealt wisely, and sought after God, inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him.

The Lord has looked down from heaven on the sons of men, to see if there are any who understand and look for God.

3 T hey are all gone aside, they have all together become filthy; there is none that does good or right, no, not one.

They have all turned aside. Together they have become bad. There is no one who does good, not even one.

4 H ave all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread and who do not call on the Lord?

Will those who sin never learn? They eat up my people like they eat bread. They do not call on the Lord.

5 T here they shall be in great fear, for God is with the generation of the righteous (those upright and in right standing with Him).

There they are in much fear. For God is with the people of this day who do what is right and good.

6 Y ou would put to shame and confound the plans of the poor and patient, but the Lord is his safe refuge.

You would put to shame the planning of the poor. But the Lord keeps him safe.

7 O h, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord shall restore the fortunes of His people, then Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad.

O, that it would come out of Zion that Israel would be saved! When the Lord returns His people to their land, Jacob will be full of joy and Israel will be glad.