Of the Corruption and Salvation of Men.
To the chief musician, for use in the liturgical part of public worship, upon Mahalath, in a sorrowful manner, agreeing with the general tone of the hymn, Maschil, a didactic poem, a psalm of David. This psalm, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, was evidently recast from Psalms 14, probably for a special occasion, and was for that reason included in the Psalter for the second time. Cf Psalms 14 for the general explanation.
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.
3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God.
5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath scattered the bones of him that encampeth against thee: thou hast put them to shame, because God hath despised them.
6 Oh thata the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.