8
For 1the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever -
9
That he should 2live on eternally, That he should not 3undergodecay.
10
For he sees that even 4wisemendie; The 5stupid and the senselessalikeperish And 6leave their wealth to others.
11
Their 7innerthought is that their houses8are forever And their dwellingplaces to allgenerations; They have 9called their lands after their own names.
12
But 10man in his pomp will not endure; He is like the beasts that perish.
13
This is the 11way of those who are foolish, And of those after them who 12approve their words. Selah.
14
As sheep they are appointed13for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the 14upright shall rule over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol15to consumeSo that they have nohabitation.
15
But God will 16redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For 17He will receive me. Selah.
16
Do not be afraid18when a manbecomesrich, When the glory of his house is increased;
17
For when he dies he will 19carrynothing* away; His glory will not descendafter him.
18
Though while he lives he 20congratulateshimself - And though men praise you when you dowell for yourself-
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.