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.
The Foolishness of Trusting in Riches
1 Hear this, everyone!
Listen, all people everywhere,
2 great and small alike,
rich and poor together.
3 My thoughts will be clear;
I will speak words of wisdom.
4 I will turn my attention to proverbs
and explain their meaning as I play the harp.
5 I am not afraid in times of danger
when I am surrounded by enemies,
6 by evil people who trust in their riches
and boast of their great wealth.
7 We can never redeem ourselves;
we cannot pay God the price for our lives,
8 because the payment for a human life is too great.
What we could pay would never be enough
9 to keep us from the grave,
to let us live forever.
10 Anyone can see that even the wise die,
as well as the foolish and stupid.
They all leave their riches to their descendants.
11 Their graves are their homes forever;
there they stay for all time,
though they once had lands of their own.
12 Our greatness cannot keep us from death;
we will still die like the animals.
13 See what happens to those who trust in themselves,
the fate of those who are satisfied with their wealth—
14 they are doomed to die like sheep,
and Death will be their shepherd.
The righteous will triumph over them,
as their bodies quickly decay
in the world of the dead far from their homes.
15 But God will rescue me;
he will save me from the power of death.
16 Don't be upset when someone becomes rich,
when his wealth grows even greater;
17 he cannot take it with him when he dies;
his wealth will not go with him to the grave.
18 Even if someone is satisfied with this life
and is praised because he is successful,
19 he will join all his ancestors in death,
where the darkness lasts forever.
20 Our greatness cannot keep us from death;
we will still die like the animals.