Study Desk

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

Hear^(a) this, all you peoples;^(b) listen, all who live in this world,^(c)

both low and high,^(d) rich and poor alike:

My mouth will speak words of wisdom;^(e) the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.^(f)

I will turn my ear to a proverb;^(g) with the harp^(h) I will expound my riddle:⁽ⁱ⁾

Why should I fear^(j) when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me—

those who trust in their wealth^(k) and boast^(l) of their great riches?^(m)

No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—

the ransom⁽ⁿ⁾ for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—^(o)

so that they should live on^(p) forever and not see decay.^(q)

For all can see that the wise die,^(r) that the foolish and the senseless^(s) also perish, leaving their wealth^(t) to others.^(u)

Their tombs^(v) will remain their houses^[b] forever, their dwellings for endless generations,^(w) though they had^[c] named^(x) lands after themselves.

People, despite their wealth, do not endure;^(y) they are like the beasts that perish.^(z)

This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,^(aa) and of their followers, who approve their sayings.^[d]

They are like sheep and are destined^(ab) to die;^(ac) death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail^(ad) over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions.

But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;^(ae) he will surely take me to himself.^(af)

Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases;

for they will take nothing^(ag) with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.^(ah)

Though while they live they count themselves blessed—^(ai) and people praise you when you prosper—

they will join those who have gone before them,^(aj) who will never again see the light^(ak) of life.

People who have wealth but lack understanding^(al) are like the beasts that perish.^(am)

A psalm of Asaph.

The Mighty One, God, the Lord ,^(a) speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets.^(b)

From Zion,^(c) perfect in beauty,^(d) God shines forth.^(e)

Our God comes^(f) and will not be silent;^(g) a fire devours^(h) before him,⁽ⁱ⁾ and around him a tempest^(j) rages.

He summons the heavens above, and the earth,^(k) that he may judge his people:^(l)

"Gather to me this consecrated people,^(m) who made a covenant⁽ⁿ⁾ with me by sacrifice."

And the heavens proclaim^(o) his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.^[a][b](p)

"Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify^(q) against you, Israel: I am God, your God.^(r)

I bring no charges^(s) against you concerning your sacrifices or concerning your burnt offerings,^(t) which are ever before me.

I have no need of a bull^(u) from your stall or of goats^(v) from your pens,^(w)

for every animal of the forest^(x) is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.^(y)

I know every bird^(z) in the mountains, and the insects in the fields^(aa) are mine.

If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world^(ab) is mine, and all that is in it.^(ac)

Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

"Sacrifice thank offerings^(ad) to God, fulfill your vows^(ae) to the Most High,^(af)

and call^(ag) on me in the day of trouble;^(ah) I will deliver^(ai) you, and you will honor^(aj) me."

But to the wicked person, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant^(ak) on your lips?^(al)

You hate^(am) my instruction and cast my words behind^(an) you.

When you see a thief, you join^(ao) with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.^(ap)

You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.^(aq)

You sit and testify against your brother^(ar) and slander your own mother's son.

When you did these things and I kept silent,^(as) you thought I was exactly^[c] like you. But I now arraign^(at) you and set my accusations^(au) before you.

"Consider this, you who forget God,^(av) or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:^(aw)

Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless^[d] I will show my salvation.^(ax)"

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.^(a)

Have mercy^(b) on me, O God, according to your unfailing love;^(c) according to your great compassion^(d) blot out^(e) my transgressions.^(f)

Wash away^(g) all my iniquity and cleanse^(h) me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.⁽ⁱ⁾

Against you, you only, have I sinned^(j) and done what is evil in your sight;^(k) so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.^(l)

Surely I was sinful^(m) at birth,⁽ⁿ⁾ sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom^(o) in that secret place.^(p)

Cleanse^(q) me with hyssop,^(r) and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.^(s)

Let me hear joy and gladness;^(t) let the bones^(u) you have crushed rejoice.

Hide your face from my sins^(v) and blot out^(w) all my iniquity.