Psalm 53: The Fool Says in His Heart

I love this paraphrase of Psalm 53. It is not faithful to the Hebrew in the middle, but it captures the beginning and end quite well.

The ignorant say to themselves,
…..“All things are accidental;
there is no justice on the earth,
…..and after death there is nothing.”
They think that they know; their minds
…..move on the surface of things.
They don’t perceive the deep patterns
…..or understand who they are.
Thus, they slip into selfishness
…..or slide down into despair.”

Let your light shine into them, Lord;
…..let your wisdom transform their lives.
Let them realize where they come from;
…..let their minds become spacious and clear.
Let compassion flow from their hearts
…..into the slightest of their actions.
Let them care for the weak and the wretched
…..and share their wealth with the poor.
Then I will burst out in thanksgiving
…..and rejoice in the power of your love.

Stephen Mitchell
A Book of Psalms: Selected & Adapted from the Hebrew
(HarperCollins, 1993), 31-32.

Here’s an idea:

Take the next Psalm you read and copy it out word for word on a sheet of paper. It will help you slow down and meditate on the text. Then try to put its theme in your own poetic voice.