1 Listen to me, all you peoples,
all who in the whole world dwell.
2 Low and high, both rich and needy,
hear the message I will tell.
3 I will speak with understanding;
wisdom from the heart I’ll preach.
4 I will listen to a proverb;
secrets with the harp I’ll teach.
5 Why should I fear days of evil,
when the wicked hem me in—
6 Those who boast of their possessions?
By their trust in wealth they sin.
7 There is no one who is able
to redeem a soul from death;
None can pay to God the ransom
to prolong another’s breath.
8 To redeem a life is costly—
none sufficient price can pay
9 So that one should live immortal,
free for ever from decay.
10 For we all can see life ending;
wise and foolish, all will die.
They must leave their wealth to others;
none can death’s demand defy.
11 So for endless generations
in their tombs they will remain,
Though they owned, while they were living,
lands to which they gave their name.
12 We despite all wealth are mortal;
like the beasts, we fade away.
13 Thus the self-assured will perish,
though renowned for what they say.
14 Death will be their guiding shepherd;
they, like sheep, will meet their doom.
15 God will from the grave redeem me,
take me from the mighty tomb.
16 Do not quake before a rich man,
and they told him he was blessed.
17 He will soon descend with nothing
of the splendor he possessed,
18 Though they praise you when you prosper,
when you for yourself do well,
19 yet to those who’ve gone before you
you will go and with them dwell.
You will never see the sunlight,
ne’er again see light of day.
20 Those with wealth and no discernment
like the beasts will pass away.
– Sing Psalms and Trinity Psalter Hymnal, alt.
Oremus 