Dixit insipiens.
The general corruption of man before the coming of Christ.
52:1. Unto the end, for Maeleth, understandings to David. The fool said
in his heart: There is no God.
Maeleth... Or Machalath. A musical instrument, or a chorus of musicians,
for St. Jerome renders it, per chorum.
52:2. They are corrupted, and become abominable in iniquities: there is
none that doth good.
52:3. God looked down from heaven on the children of men: to see if
there were any that did understand, or did seek God.
52:4. All have gone aside, they are become unprofitable together, there
is none that doth good, no not one.
52:5. Shall not all the workers of iniquity know, who eat up my people
as they eat bread?
52:6. They have not called upon God: there have they trembled for fear,
where there was no fear. For God hath scattered the bones of them that
please men: they have been confounded, because God hath despised them.
God hath scattered the bones, etc... That is, God has brought to nothing
the strength of all those that seek to please men, to the prejudice of
their duty to their Maker.
52:7. Who will give out of Sion the salvation of Israel? when God shall
bring back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel
shall be glad.