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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 53:4 Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/53-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/19_Psa_053_004.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 53:4 - The Fool Says There is No God" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Will the workers of iniquity never learn? 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They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/53.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/53.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Have those who work evil no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/53.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/53.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people <i>as</i> they eat bread: they have not called upon God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/53.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people <i>as</i> they eat bread, And do not call upon God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/53.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Have the workers of injustice no knowledge, Who eat up My people <i>like</i> they ate bread, <i>And</i> have not called upon God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/53.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Have the workers of wickedness no knowledge, Who eat up My people as though they ate bread And have not called upon God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/53.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Have the workers of wickedness no knowledge, Who eat up My people <i>as though</i> they ate bread, And have not called upon God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/53.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do the workers of iniquity not know, Who eat up my people <i>as</i> they eat bread <i>And</i> do not call upon God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/53.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Have workers of wickedness no knowledge <i>or</i> no understanding? They eat up My people <i>as though</i> they ate bread And have not called upon God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/53.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Will evildoers never understand? They consume my people as they consume bread; they do not call on God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/53.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Will evildoers never understand? They consume My people as they consume bread; they do not call on God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/53.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And call not upon God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/53.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Won't you lawbreakers learn? You refuse to pray, and you gobble up the people of God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/53.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/53.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Are all those troublemakers, those who devour my people as if they were devouring food, so ignorant that they do not call on God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/53.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Don't they know?" God asks. "Are these evildoers ignorant? They live by robbing my people, and they never pray to me." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/53.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Will those who do evil ever learn? They devour my people like they devour bread, and never call on God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/53.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/53.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />All 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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/53.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Have evildoers no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call on God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/53.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread! they have not called upon God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/53.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and don’t call on God? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/53.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Workers of iniquity have not known, "" Those eating my people have eaten bread, "" They have not called God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/53.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Have not workers of iniquity known, Those eating my people have eaten bread, God they have not called.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/53.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Did not those transgressing know any thing? eating up my people, they ate bread: they called not upon God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/53.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Shall not all the workers of iniquity know, who eat up my people as they eat bread? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/53.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 52:5>Will they never learn: all those who work iniquity, who devour my people like a meal of bread?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/53.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do they not know better, those who do evil, who feed upon my people as they feed upon bread? Have they not called upon God? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/53.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Have they no knowledge, those evildoers, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call upon God?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/53.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />These people no longer recognize evil; they have consumed my people like bread; they have no respect for God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/53.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And none of the workers of evil have known, who have been consuming my people as the food of bread, and they have not called upon God, and none is doing good, not even one.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/53.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Shall not the workers of iniquity know it, Who eat up My people as they eat bread, And call not upon God?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/53.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Will none of the workers of iniquity know, who devour my people as they would eat bread? they have not called upon God. There were they greatly afraid, where there was no fear:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/53-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=6309" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/53.htm">The Fool Says There is No God</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6466.htm" title="6466: pō·‘ă·lê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- Do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, especially to practise.">Will the workers</a> <a href="/hebrew/205.htm" title="205: ’ā·wen (N-ms) -- From an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant; strictly nothingness; also trouble. Vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol.">of iniquity</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">never</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏə·‘ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">learn?</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ō·ḵə·lê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">They devour</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">my people</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ā·ḵə·lū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">like</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: le·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">bread;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">they refuse</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qā·rā·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">to call</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">upon God.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>There they are, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to fear. For God has scattered the bones of those who besieged you. You put them to shame, for God has despised them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-12</a></span><br />As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one. / There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. / All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/14-4.htm">Psalm 14:4</a></span><br />Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-7.htm">Isaiah 59:7-8</a></span><br />Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake. / The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their tracks. They have turned them into crooked paths; no one who treads on them will know peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm">Jeremiah 9:3-6</a></span><br />“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-2.htm">Micah 3:2-3</a></span><br />You hate good and love evil. You tear the skin from my people and strip the flesh from their bones. / You eat the flesh of my people after stripping off their skin and breaking their bones. You chop them up like flesh for the cooking pot, like meat in a cauldron.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-29.htm">Proverbs 1:29-31</a></span><br />For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. / They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. / So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-4.htm">Isaiah 1:4</a></span><br />Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Jeremiah 5:26-28</a></span><br />For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-13.htm">Matthew 23:13-15</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter. / Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28-32</a></span><br />Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-4.htm">Isaiah 57:4</a></span><br />Whom are you mocking? At whom do you sneer and stick out your tongue? Are you not children of transgression, offspring of deceit,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-1.htm">Hosea 4:1-2</a></span><br />Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15-20</a></span><br />Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-1.htm">2 Timothy 3:1-5</a></span><br />But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. / For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/22-29.htm">Ezekiel 22:29</a></span><br />The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy and have exploited the foreign resident without justice.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called on God.</p><p class="hdg">Have.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/94-8.htm">Psalm 94:8</a></b></br> Understand, ye brutish among the people: and <i>ye</i> fools, when will ye be wise?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/27-11.htm">Isaiah 27:11</a></b></br> When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, <i>and</i> set them on fire: for it <i>is</i> a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Jeremiah 4:22</a></b></br> For my people <i>is</i> foolish, they have not known me; they <i>are</i> sottish children, and they have none understanding: they <i>are</i> wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.</p><p class="hdg">who eat</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/27-2.htm">Psalm 27:2</a></b></br> When the wicked, <i>even</i> mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/10-25.htm">Jeremiah 10:25</a></b></br> Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/revelation/17-16.htm">Revelation 17:16</a></b></br> And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/41-9.htm">Ate</a> <a href="/psalms/42-3.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/psalms/52-4.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/psalms/50-13.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/psalms/41-9.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/psalms/53-1.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/37-9.htm">Evildoers</a> <a href="/psalms/50-13.htm">Food</a> <a href="/psalms/53-1.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/psalms/14-4.htm">Learn</a> <a href="/psalms/42-8.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/psalms/53-2.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/psalms/52-7.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/psalms/45-14.htm">Work</a> <a href="/psalms/37-1.htm">Workers</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/78-25.htm">Ate</a> <a href="/psalms/73-10.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/psalms/78-24.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/psalms/106-20.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/psalms/54-5.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/59-2.htm">Evildoers</a> <a href="/psalms/59-15.htm">Food</a> <a href="/psalms/55-3.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/psalms/89-15.htm">Learn</a> <a href="/psalms/54-2.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/psalms/82-5.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/psalms/55-11.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/psalms/55-11.htm">Work</a> <a href="/psalms/59-2.htm">Workers</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 53</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/53-1.htm">David describes the corruption of the natural man</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/53-4.htm">He convinces the wicked by the light of their own conscience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/53-6.htm">He glories in the salvation of God</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/53.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/53.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Will the workers of iniquity never learn?</b><br>This phrase questions the persistent folly of those who commit evil acts. Biblically, "workers of iniquity" refers to individuals who actively engage in sin and wrongdoing. The rhetorical question implies a sense of frustration and disbelief at their continued ignorance and rebellion against God. This theme is echoed in other scriptures, such as <a href="/proverbs/1-22.htm">Proverbs 1:22</a>, which speaks of fools who hate knowledge. Historically, this reflects the ongoing struggle between the righteous and the wicked, a common theme in the Psalms. The phrase also suggests a moral blindness, as seen in <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a>, where people fail to honor God despite knowing Him.<p><b>They devour my people like bread;</b><br>This imagery of devouring suggests a predatory and consuming nature of the wicked towards the righteous. In ancient Near Eastern culture, bread was a staple food, symbolizing sustenance and daily life. The comparison indicates how casually and routinely the wicked oppress the righteous, as if it were as natural as eating. This reflects the historical context of Israel, often besieged by enemies who sought to destroy them. The phrase can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is the Bread of Life (<a href="/john/6-35.htm">John 6:35</a>), contrasting the life-giving nature of Christ with the destructive nature of the wicked.<p><b>they refuse to call upon God.</b><br>This phrase highlights the willful rejection of God by the wicked. To "call upon God" is to seek His guidance, help, and presence, a fundamental aspect of a faithful life. The refusal indicates a deliberate choice to live independently of God's will, aligning with the broader biblical narrative of rebellion against God, as seen in <a href="/romans/3-10.htm">Romans 3:10-12</a>, which states that no one seeks God. This refusal is not just ignorance but a conscious decision to reject divine authority, reflecting the spiritual state of those who are separated from God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/w/workers_of_iniquity.htm">Workers of Iniquity</a></b><br>This term refers to those who commit sin and act wickedly, often in deliberate opposition to God's will. In the context of <a href="/bsb/psalms/53.htm">Psalm 53</a>, they are characterized by their lack of understanding and refusal to seek God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/my_people.htm">My People</a></b><br>This phrase refers to the people of God, often understood as the Israelites in the Old Testament context. They are depicted as victims of the wicked's actions.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in the Psalm, representing righteousness and the ultimate judge of human actions. The refusal to call upon God highlights the spiritual rebellion of the wicked.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_human_depravity.htm">Understanding Human Depravity</a></b><br>Recognize that without God, humanity is prone to sin and moral failure. This understanding should lead to humility and a reliance on God's grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_seeking_god.htm">The Importance of Seeking God</a></b><br>The refusal to call upon God is a central issue in this verse. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a life of prayer and dependence on God, contrasting the behavior of the wicked.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_sin_on_community.htm">The Impact of Sin on Community</a></b><br>Sin is not just a personal issue; it affects the community of believers. The imagery of devouring "my people like bread" suggests the destructive nature of sin within a community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_protection.htm">God's Justice and Protection</a></b><br>Trust in God's justice and protection for His people. Despite the actions of the wicked, God is aware and will ultimately hold them accountable.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_53.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 53</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_iniquity_mean.htm">What does iniquity mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_iniquity,_sin,_and_transgression_differ.htm">What differentiates iniquity, sin, and transgression?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_isaiah_42_4_contradict_isaiah_53.htm">Why does Isaiah 42:4 seem to contradict later passages that depict the Messiah as suffering and dying (e.g., Isaiah 53)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_jehovah_rapha.htm">Who is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/53.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Notice the omission of the expressive "all" found in Psalms 14<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/53.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - For "the workers of iniquity" in this verse, <a href="/psalms/14.htm">Psalm 14</a>. has "all the workers of iniquity " - a difference wholly unimportant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/53-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Will the workers</span><br /><span class="heb">פֹּ֤עֲלֵ֫י</span> <span class="translit">(pō·‘ă·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6466.htm">Strong's 6466: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make, to practise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of iniquity</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֥וֶן</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·wen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_205.htm">Strong's 205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">never</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲלֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">learn?</span><br /><span class="heb">יָדְעוּ֮</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḏə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They devour</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹכְלֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·ḵə·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my people</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֭מִּי</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[like]</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֣כְלוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḵə·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bread;</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶ֑חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(le·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they refuse</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to call upon</span><br /><span class="heb">קָרָֽאוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(qā·rā·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/53-4.htm">Psalm 53:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/53-4.htm">Psalm 53:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/53-4.htm">Psalm 53:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/53-4.htm">Psalm 53:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/53-4.htm">Psalm 53:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/53-4.htm">Psalm 53:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/53-4.htm">Psalm 53:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/53-4.htm">Psalm 53:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/53-4.htm">Psalm 53:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/53-4.htm">Psalm 53:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/53-4.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 53:4 Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/53-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 53:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 53:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/53-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 53:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 53:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>