(A psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.)
Don't Depend on Wealth
1 Everyone on this earth,
now listen to what I say!
2 Listen, no matter who you are,
rich or poor.
3 I speak words of wisdom,
and my thoughts make sense.
4 I have in mind a mystery
that I will explain
while playing my harp.
5 Why should I be afraid
in times of trouble,
when I am surrounded
by vicious enemies?
6 They trust in their riches
and brag about
all their wealth.
7 You cannot buy back your life
or pay off God!
8 It costs far too much
to buy back your life.
You can never pay God enough
9 to stay alive forever
and safe from death.
10 We see that wise people die,
and so do stupid fools.
Then their money is left
for someone else.
11 The grave will be their home
forever and ever,
although they once had land
of their own.
12 Our human glory disappears,
and, like animals, we die.
13 Here is what happens to fools
and to those who trust
the words of fools:
14 They are like sheep
with death as their shepherd,
leading them to the grave.
In the morning God's people
will walk all over them,
as their bodies lie rotting
in their home, the grave.
15 But God will rescue me
from the power of death.
16 Don't let it bother you
when others get rich
and live in luxury.
17 Soon they will die
and all their wealth
will be left behind.
18 We humans are praised
when we do well,
and all of us are glad
to be alive.
19 But we each will go down
to our ancestors,
never again to see
the light of day.
20 Our human glory disappears,
and, like animals, we die.
1 To him that excelleth. A Psalme committed to the sonnes of Korah. Heare this, all ye people: giue eare, all ye that dwell in the world, 2 As well lowe as hie, both rich and poore. 3 My mouth shall speake of wisdome, and the meditation of mine heart is of knowledge. 4 I will incline mine eare to a parable, and vtter my graue matter vpon the harpe. 5 Wherefore should I feare in the euil dayes, when iniquitie shall compasse me about, as at mine heeles? 6 They trust in their goods, and boast them selues in the multitude of their riches. 7 Yet a man can by no meanes redeeme his brother: he can not giue his raunsome to God, 8 (So precious is the redemption of their soules, and the continuance for euer) 9 That he may liue still for euer, and not see the graue. 10 For he seeth that wise men die, and also that the ignorant and foolish perish, and leaue their riches for others. 11 Yet they thinke, their houses, and their habitations shall continue for euer, euen from generation to generation, and call their lands by their names. 12 But man shall not continue in honour: he is like the beastes that die. 13 This their way vttereth their foolishnes: yet their posteritie delite in their talke. Selah. 14 Like sheepe they lie in graue: death deuoureth them, and the righteous shall haue domination ouer them in the morning: for their beautie shall consume, when they shall goe from their house to graue. 15 But God shall deliuer my soule from the power of the graue: for he will receiue me. Selah. 16 Be not thou afrayd when one is made rich, and when the glory of his house is increased. 17 For he shall take nothing away when he dieth, neither shall his pompe descende after him. 18 For while he liued, he reioyced himselfe: and men will prayse thee, when thou makest much of thy selfe. 19 He shall enter into the generation of his fathers, and they shall not liue for euer. 20 Man is in honour, and vnderstandeth not: he is like to beasts that perish.