PSALM LII (53), f. 30v, the upper picture.
The content of this psalm is practically the same as that of Psalm XIII (14). Similarly the illustrations are almost identical with those of Psalm XIII (14). The variations lie chiefly in the representations of the Christ-Logos and the omission of the sarcophagus and of the widow and orphans of Psalm XIII (14). In this picture the psalmist, standing on a mound in the center of the composition, appeals to the Christ-Logos and points to the scenes of violence which take place on the left side of the picture. The beardless Christ-Logos, carrying a bannered staff, appears at the right without a mandorla and is followed by four angels. He is looking down 'from heaven upon the children of men to see if there were any that did understand' (verse 3, (2)), but He sees only wickedness (verses 4-5, (3-4)). At the left, a judge or prince is seated under a domed tempietto (verse 1). Two soldiers with swords are bringing him the heads of victims. A pair below him fight over a woman, and others are in combat and killing each other. At the right a group of women led into 'captivity' (verse 7, (6)) by a troop of horsemen, appeal to a young soldier standing on a hill.
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