1 T o the Overseer. -- By sons of Korah. A Psalm. Hear this, all ye peoples, Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.

2 B oth low and high, together rich and needy.

3 M y mouth speaketh wise things, And the meditations of my heart things of understanding.

4 I incline to a simile mine ear, I open with a harp my riddle:

5 W hy do I fear in days of evil? The iniquity of my supplanters doth compass me.

6 T hose trusting on their wealth, And in the multitude of their riches, Do shew themselves foolish.

7 A brother doth no one at all ransom, He doth not give to God his atonement.

8 A nd precious the redemption of their soul, And it hath ceased -- to the age.

9 A nd still he liveth for ever, He seeth not the pit.

10 F or he seeth wise men die, Together the foolish and brutish perish, And have left to others their wealth.

11 T heir heart: Their houses to the age, Their tabernacles to all generations. They proclaimed their names over the lands.

12 A nd man in honour doth not remain, He hath been like the beasts, they have been cut off.

13 T his their way folly for them, And their posterity with their sayings are pleased. Selah.

14 A s sheep for Sheol they have set themselves, Death doth afflict them, And the upright rule over them in the morning, And their form for consumption. Sheol a dwelling for him.

15 O nly, God doth ransom my soul from the hand of Sheol, For He doth receive me. Selah.

16 F ear not, when one maketh wealth, When the honour of his house is abundant,

17 F or at his death he receiveth nothing, His honour goeth not down after him.

18 F or his soul in his life he blesseth, (And they praise thee when thou dost well for thyself.)

19 I t cometh to the generation of his fathers, For ever they see not the light.

20 M an in honour, who understandest not, Hath been like the beasts, they have been cut off!