Study Desk

No one can ever redeem his brother or give God a ransom for him ,

because the price for him is too high (leave the idea completely alone!)

For he can see that wise men will die, likewise the fool and the brute will perish and leave their wealth to others.

Like sheep, they are destined for Sh'ol; death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning; and their forms will waste away in Sh'ol, until they need no dwelling.

For when he dies, he won't take it with him; his wealth will not go down after him.

True, while he lived, he thought himself happy — people praise you when you do well for yourself —

The heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. (Selah)

I am not rebuking you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are always before me.

I have no need for a bull from your farm or for male goats from your pens;

for all forest creatures are mine already, as are the animals on a thousand hills;

If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is mine, and everything in it.

you give your mouth free rein for evil and harness your tongue to deceit;

For the leader. A psalm of David,

For I know my crimes, my sin confronts me all the time.

For you don't want sacrifices, or I would give them; you don't take pleasure in burnt offerings.

For the leader. A maskil of David,

"This fellow would not make God his refuge, but trusted in his own great wealth, relying on his evil plots." But I am like a leafy olive tree in the house of God; I put my trust in the grace of God forever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done, and I will put my hope in your name; for this is what is good in the presence of your faithful.

For the leader. On machalat. A maskil of David:

They will be gripped with terror, even though now they are not afraid; for God will scatter the bones of him who is besieging you. You are putting them to shame, because God has rejected them. If only salvation for Isra'el would come out of Tziyon! When God restores his people's fortunes, what joy for Ya‘akov! what gladness for Isra'el!

For the leader. With stringed instruments. A maskil of David,