(To the choir-master. Of David.)
There is no God above us, is the fond thought of reckless hearts; warped natures everywhere and hateful lives! There is not an innocent man among them.

The Lord looks down from heaven at the race of men, to find one soul that reflects, and makes God its aim;

but no, all have missed the mark and rebelled against him; an innocent man is nowhere to be found.

What, can they learn nothing, all these traffickers in iniquity, who feed themselves fat on this people of mine, as if it were bread for their eating,

and never invoke the Lord’s name? What wonder if fear unmans them, when the Lord takes the part of the innocent?

Easily you thought to outwit the friendless; see, the Lord is his refuge!

Oh, that it might dawn over Sion, Israel’s deliverance! Day of gladness for Jacob, day of Israel’s triumph, when the Lord restores the fortunes of his own people.✻