For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.
Y’all hear this, all peoples. Y’all listen, all who inhabit the world, both low and high, rich and poor together. My mouth will speak wisdom. My heart will bring understanding. I will turn my ear to a proverb. I will explain my riddle on the harp. Why should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels surrounds me? Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches— none of them can redeem-redeem their brother, nor give God a ransom for them. For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is ever enough, that they should live on forever, that they should not see corruption. For everryone see that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inward thought is that their houses will endure forever, and their dwelling places to all generations. They name their lands after themselves. But humankind, despite their riches, doesn’t endure. They are like the animals that perish.This is the destiny of those who are foolish, and of those who approve their sayings. Selah. They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will have dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty will decay in Sheol, far from their mansion. But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for ʜᴇ will receive me. Selah. Don’t be afraid when a person is made rich, when the glory of their house is increased; for when they die they will carry nothing away. Their glory won’t descend with them. Though while they lived they blessed their soul— and others praise you when you do well for yourself— they will go to the generation of ʜɪꜱ ancestors. They will never see the light. Humans who have riches without understanding, are like the animals that perish.