| King James Bible | NET Bible |
| 1To the chief Musician upon Mahalath, Maschil, A Psalm of David. 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. | 1For the music director; according to the machalath style; a well-written song by David. Fools say to themselves, "There is no God." They sin and commit evil deeds; none of them does what is right. |
| 2God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. | 2God looks down from heaven at the human race, to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God. |
| 3Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. | 3Everyone rejects God; they are all morally corrupt. None of them does what is right, not even one! |
| 4Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God. | 4All those who behave wickedly do not understand--those who devour my people as if they were eating bread, and do not call out to God. |
| 5There 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. | 5They are absolutely terrified, even by things that do not normally cause fear. For God annihilates those who attack you. You are able to humiliate them because God has rejected them. |
| 6Oh 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. | 6I wish the deliverance of Israel would come from Zion! When God restores the well-being of his people, may Jacob rejoice, may Israel be happy! |
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