Study Desk

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

Hear^(a) this, all you peoples;^(b) listen, all who live in this world,^(c)

both low and high,^(d) rich and poor alike:

My mouth will speak words of wisdom;^(e) the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.^(f)

I will turn my ear to a proverb;^(g) with the harp^(h) I will expound my riddle:⁽ⁱ⁾

Why should I fear^(j) when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me—

those who trust in their wealth^(k) and boast^(l) of their great riches?^(m)

No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—

the ransom⁽ⁿ⁾ for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—^(o)

so that they should live on^(p) forever and not see decay.^(q)

For all can see that the wise die,^(r) that the foolish and the senseless^(s) also perish, leaving their wealth^(t) to others.^(u)

Their tombs^(v) will remain their houses^[b] forever, their dwellings for endless generations,^(w) though they had^[c] named^(x) lands after themselves.

People, despite their wealth, do not endure;^(y) they are like the beasts that perish.^(z)

This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,^(aa) and of their followers, who approve their sayings.^[d]

They are like sheep and are destined^(ab) to die;^(ac) death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail^(ad) over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions.

But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;^(ae) he will surely take me to himself.^(af)

Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases;

for they will take nothing^(ag) with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.^(ah)

Though while they live they count themselves blessed—^(ai) and people praise you when you prosper—

they will join those who have gone before them,^(aj) who will never again see the light^(ak) of life.

People who have wealth but lack understanding^(al) are like the beasts that perish.^(am)