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The Bible · 531 of 1189

Psalms 53

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 that 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.

Asked of Guide

Why does Psalm 53 call people 'fool' for saying 'There is no God'?

Psalm 53 says the fool declares “There is no God” and then describes moral collapse: “Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity.” The psalm links denial of God with social and ethical failure—no one who rejects God “doeth good.”

Verse 2 frames God as surveying humanity to see who will “seek God,” and verses 4–5 portray the violent consequences when the wicked ignore God and oppress the faithful. This judgmental pattern echoes Psalm 14 and the theological stance of Ecclesiastes and Proverbs that wisdom and right conduct flow from fearing or acknowledging God.

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