To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.
8,6,8,6
^1Hear this, all people, and give ear,
all in the world that dwell;
^2Both low and high, both rich and poor.
^3My mouth shall wisdom tell:
My heart shall knowledge meditate.
^4I will incline mine ear
To parables, and on the harp
my sayings dark declare.
^5Amidst those days that evil be,
why should I, fearing, doubt?
When of my heels th' iniquity
shall compass me about.
^6Whoe'er they be that in their wealth
their confidence do pitch,
And boast themselves, because they are
become exceeding rich:
^7Yet none of these his brother can
redeem by any way;
Nor can he unto God for him
sufficient ransom pay,
^8(Their soul's redemption precious is,
and it can never be,)
^9That still he should for ever live,
and not corruption see.
^10For why? he seeth that wise men die,
and brutish fools also
Do perish; and their wealth, when dead,
to others they let go.
^11Their inward thought is, that their house
and dwelling-places shall
Stand through all ages; they their lands
by their own names do call.
^12But yet in honour shall not man
abide continually;
But passing hence, may be compar'd
unto the beasts that die.
^13Thus brutish folly plainly is
their wisdom and their way;
Yet their posterity approve
what they do fondly say.
^14Like sheep they in the grave are laid,
and death shall them devour;
And in the morning upright men
shall over them have pow'r:
Their beauty from their dwelling shall
consume within the grave.
^15But from hell's hand God will me free,
for he shall me receive.
^16Be thou not then afraid when one
enriched thou dost see,
Nor when the glory of his house
advanced is on high:
^17For he shall carry nothing hence
when death his days doth end;
Nor shall his glory after him
into the grave descend.
^18Although he his own soul did bless
whilst he on earth did live;
(And when thou to thyself dost well,
men will thee praises give;)
^19He to his fathers' race shall go,
they never shall see light.
^20Man honour'd wanting knowledge is
like beasts that perish quite.