Psalm 53

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.

denial by fool. Cf. Ps. XIV: x.

2 God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did under-stand, that did seek God.

3 Every one of them is gone back: they are al-together 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 that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! When God hringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Foolishness and understanding are contrasted (verses I and 2). The one consists in denying God, and the other in seeking Him. The seeking and

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