Commentary on Psalms - Volume 5

To the Chief Musician. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm

1Hear this all ye peoples; Give ear all ye inhabitants of the world:

2Both ye sons of Adam, and ye sons of men, Rich and poor together.

3My mouth shall speak of wisdoms, And the meditation of my heart is of understanding.

4I will incline to a parable my ear: I will open upon the harp my enigma.

5Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil? The iniquity of my heel shall compass me about.

6They trust in their wealth, And in the multitude of their riches do glory.

7The brother shall not be able to redeem; None shall give to God the price of his redemption.

8And precious shall be the redemption of their soul, And their continuance for ever:

9That he should still live for ever, And not see the grave.

10For he shall see that wise men die, Together the fool and the brutish person shall perish, And leave to strangers their wealth.

11Their inward thought is [how to make] their houses [to continue] for ever, Their dwelling-places from generation to generation: They have called out their names upon the earth.

12And man in honor shall not abide; He hath become like the beasts: they perish.

13This their way is foolishness in them, And their posterity in their saying will acquiesce. Selah.

14Like sleep in the grave they are laid; Death shall feed them; And have dominion over them shall the upright in the morning, And their strength shall wax old; The grave shall receive them from their dwelling.

15But God shall redeem my soul from the hand of the grave; For he hath taken me up. Selah.

16Be not thou afraid when a man shall become rich, When increased shall be the glory of his house;

17For he shall not at his death carry all away: Descend not after him shall his glory:

18For his soul in his lifetime he will bless, And they shall praise thee when thou doest well to thyself.

19He shall come to the age of his fathers, Even for ever he shall not see the light.

20Man is in honor, and will not understand: He hath become like the beasts: they shall perish.