5
Why should I 1fear in days of adversity, When the iniquity of my foessurrounds me,
6
Even those who 2trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches?
7
Noman can by anymeans3redeem his brotherOrgive to God a 4ransom for him-
8
For 5the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever -
9
That he should 6live on eternally, That he should not 7undergodecay.
10
For he sees that even 8wisemendie; The 9stupid and the senselessalikeperish And 10leave their wealth to others.
11
Their 11innerthought is that their houses12are forever And their dwellingplaces to allgenerations; They have 13called their lands after their own names.
12
But 14man in his pomp will not endure; He is like the beasts that perish.
13
This is the 15way of those who are foolish, And of those after them who 16approve their words. Selah.
14
As sheep they are appointed17for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the 18upright shall rule over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol19to consumeSo that they have nohabitation.
15
But God will 20redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For 21He will receive me. Selah.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Aben Ezra says this psalm is a very excellent one, since in it is explained the Light of the world to come, and of the rational and immortal soul; and Kimchi is of opinion that it respects both this world and that which is to come: and indeed it treats of the vanity of trusting in riches: of the insufficiency of them for the redemption of the soul; of the short continuance of worldly honour and substance; of the certainty of death, and of the resurrection of the dead. And the design of it is to expose the folly of trusting in uncertain riches, and to comfort the people of God under the want of them.