The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."

They act corruptly; they do abominable deeds;

There is no one who does that which is good.

Yahweh looks down from heaven on the children of humankind

to see if there is any one who acts circumspectly,

who seeks God.

They all turn aside; together they act immorally;

There is no one who does that which is good--there is not even one!

[BHS notes a long insertion here in LXX, which began in Romans 3:13-18, was then

added to LXX, and even found its way into two medieval Hebrew manuscripts. Transla

tion below].

Do all the trouble-makers have no insight,

the ones who eat up my people as they eat bread,

who do not call upon Yahweh?

In so doing they experience great dread,

for God is in (with) the righteous assembly.

In the plan against the poor (!) you act shamefully [you come to ruin]

for Yahweh is their refuge.

Oh that deliverance for Israel would come out of Zion!

When Yahweh restores the fortunes of his people,

Jacob will be glad, Israel will rejoice!

 

 

Translation of Insertion (Hebrew verse numbers):

Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they have used deceit (Ps 5:10).
Viper's poison is under their lips/tongue (Ps 140:4).
Their mouth is full of oath and deceitfulness (cf. Ps 10:7).
Their feet are swift to shed blood (Isa 59:7; cf. Prov 1:16).
Destruction and misery are in their ways (Isa 59:7).
The way of peace they do not know (Isa 59:8).
There is no fear of God before their eyes (Ps 36:2).

© Ralph W. Klein

December 11, 2000