Praying the Psalms: Psalm 53

To the Chief Musician. Set to “Mahalath.” A Contemplation of David.

1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity;
There is none who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
3 Every one of them has turned aside;
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good,
No, not one.

4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge,
Who eat up my people as they eat bread,
And do not call upon God?
5 There they are in great fear
Where no fear was,
For God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you;
You have put them to shame,
Because God has despised them.

6 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When God brings back the captivity of His people,
Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

MY PRAYER

Father, there are many who live as if You do not exist.
They have convinced themselves that there is no God and that they may therefore live as they please with no master above them.
They behave corruptly and do not seek goodness.
Such ones are rightly called fools and their number is great.

You see everything, O Creator of all.
You know the hearts of every one of us.
Many are on the broad path to destruction and they are tragically oblivious.
They do not call out to You for mercy.
May I not be of their number, O LORD.
May I always rejoice in and trust in You.
Amen.