Psalmorum 53

1 In finem, pro Maëleth intelligentiæ David. [Dixit insipiens in corde suo: Non est Deus. Corrupti sunt, et abominabiles facti sunt in iniquitatibus; non est qui faciat bonum.

For the leader. On mahalath. A maskil of David. Fools say in their heart, ‘There is no God.’ Vile, hateful their life is; not one does good.

2 Deus de cælo prospexit super filios hominum, ut videat si est intelligens, aut requirens Deum.

From heaven God looks out on humans, to see if any are wise, and care for God.

3 Omnes declinaverunt; simul inutiles facti sunt: non est qui faciat bonum, non est usque ad unum.

But all have turned bad, the taint is on all; not one does good, no, not one.

4 Nonne scient omnes qui operantur iniquitatem, qui devorant plebem meam ut cibum panis?

Have they learned their lesson, those workers of evil? Who ate up my people, eating, devouring, never calling to the Lord.

5 Deum non invocaverunt; illic trepidaverunt timore, ubi non erat timor. Quoniam Deus dissipavit ossa eorum qui hominibus placent: confusi sunt, quoniam Deus sprevit eos.

Sore afraid will they be, where no fear was; when God scatters the bones of the godless people. They will be put to shame, when God rejects them.

6 Quis dabit ex Sion salutare Israël? cum converterit Deus captivitatem plebis suæ, exsultabit Jacob, et lætabitur Israël.]

If only help from Zion would come for Israel! When God brings his people a change of fortune, how glad will be Jacob, and Israel how joyful!