1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye peoples; Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- To the chief Musician H5329 (נָצַח) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
- A Psalm H4210 (מִזְמוֹר) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
- for the sons H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- of Korah H7141 (קֹרַח) — Korach, the name of two Edomites and three Israelites
- Hear H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
- people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
- give ear H238 (אָזַן) — to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen
- inhabitants H3427 (יָשַׁב) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
- of the world H2465 (חֶלֶד) — life (as a fleeting portion of time); hence, the world (as transient)
2 Both low and high, Rich and poor together.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Both low H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- Both low H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- and high H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- and high H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- rich H6223 (עָשִׁיר) — rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)
- and poor H34 (אֶבְיוֹן) — destitute
- together H3162 (יַחַד) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- My mouth H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- shall speak H1696 (דָבַר) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
- of wisdom H2454 (חׇכְמוֹת) — wisdom
- and the meditation H1900 (הָגוּת) — musing
- of my heart H3820 (לֵב) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
- of understanding H8394 (תָּבוּן) — intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- I will incline H5186 (נָטָה) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
- mine ear H241 (אֹזֶן) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
- to a parable H4912 (מָשָׁל) — properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
- I will open H6605 (פָּתַח) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
- my dark saying H2420 (חִידָה) — a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim
- upon the harp H3658 (כִּנּוֹר) — a harp
5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, When iniquity at my heels compasseth me about?Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Wherefore should I fear H3372 (יָרֵא) — to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
- in the days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- of evil H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- the iniquity H5771 (עָוֺן) — perversity, i.e. (moral) evil
- of my heels H6120 (עָקֵב) — a lier in wait
- shall compass H5437 (סָבַב) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
6 They that trust in their wealth, And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- They that trust H982 (בָּטַח) — properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as 2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
- in their wealth H2428 (חַיִל) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
- and boast H1984 (הָלַל) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to ce…
- themselves in the multitude H7230 (רֹב) — abundance (in any respect)
- of their riches H6239 (עֹשֶׁר) — wealth
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for himCross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- can H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- by any means H6299 (פָּדָה) — to sever, i.e. ransom; generally to release, preserve
- redeem H6299 (פָּדָה) — to sever, i.e. ransom; generally to release, preserve
- his brother H251 (אָח) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like 1])
- nor give H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- to God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
- a ransom H3724 (כֹּפֶר) — properly, a cover, i.e. (literally) a village (as covered in); (specifically) bitumen (as used for coating), and the henna plant (as used for dyeing); figurativ…
8 (For the redemption of their life is costly, And it faileth for ever),Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For the redemption H6306 (פִּדְיוֹם) — a ransom
- of their soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- precious H3365 (יָקַר) — properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e. (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make rare (figuratively, to inhibit)
- and it ceaseth H2308 (חָדַל) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle
- for ever H5769 (עוֹלָם) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially…
9 That he should still live alway, That he should not see corruption.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- That he should still live H2421 (חָיָה) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
- for ever H5331 (נֶצַח) — properly, a goal, i.e. the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objectively) confi…
- not see H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- corruption H7845 (שַׁחַת) — a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively, destruction
10 For he shall see it. Wise men die; The fool and the brutish alike perish, And leave their wealth to others.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For he seeth H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- wise men H2450 (חָכָם) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)
- die H4191 (מוּת) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
- likewise H3162 (יַחַד) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
- the fool H3684 (כְּסִיל) — properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
- and the brutish person H1198 (בַּעַר) — properly, foot (as consumed); i.e. (by exten.) of cattle brutishness; (concretely) stupid
- perish H6 (אָבַד) — properly, to wander away, i.e. lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
- and leave H5800 (עָזַב) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.
- their wealth H2428 (חַיִל) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
- to others H312 (אַחֵר) — properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.
11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, And their dwelling-places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Their inward H7130 (קֶרֶב) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
- their houses H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- for ever H5769 (עוֹלָם) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially…
- their dwelling H4908 (מִשְׁכָּן) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the Temple); specifically, the Tabernacle (properly, its wooden wall…
- places to all H1755 (דּוֹר) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
- generations H1755 (דּוֹר) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
- they call H7121 (קָרָא) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
- lands H127 (אֲדָמָה) — soil (from its general redness)
- after their own names H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
12 But man being in honor abideth not: He is like the beasts that perish.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Nevertheless man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- in honour H3366 (יְקָר) — value, i.e. (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity
- abideth H3885 (לוּן) — to stop (usually over night); by implication, to stay permanently; hence (in a bad sense) to be obstinate (especially in words, to complain)
- not: he is like H4911 (מָשַׁל) — to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like); intransitively, to resemble
- the beasts H929 (בְּהֵמָה) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
- perish H1820 (דָּמָה) — to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy
13 This their way is their folly: Yet after them men approve their sayings. [SelahCross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- This their way H1870 (דֶּרֶךְ) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
- their folly H3689 (כֶּסֶל) — properly, fatness, i.e. by implication (literally) the loin (as the seat of the leaf fat) or (generally) the viscera; also (figuratively) silliness or (in a goo…
- yet their posterity H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
- approve H7521 (רָצָה) — to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
- their sayings H6310 (פֶּה) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) acc…
- Selah H5542 (סֶלָה) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
14 They are appointed as a flock for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd: And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, That there be no habitation for it.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Like sheep H6629 (צֹאן) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
- they are laid H8371 (שָׁתַת) — to place, i.e. array; reflex. to lie
- in the grave H7585 (שְׁאוֹל) — hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
- death H4194 (מָוֶת) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
- shall feed H7462 (רָעָה) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)
- on them; and the upright H3477 (יָשָׁר) — straight (literally or figuratively)
- shall have dominion H7287 (רָדָה) — to tread down, i.e. subjugate; specifically, to crumble off
- over them in the morning H1242 (בֹּקֶר) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
- and their beauty H6736 (צִיר) — a form (of beauty; as if pressed out, i.e. carved); hence, an (idolatrous) image
- and their beauty H6697 (צוּר) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
- shall consume H1086 (בָּלָה) — to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend)
- from their dwelling H2073 (זְבוּל) — a residence
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol; For he will receive me. [SelahCross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- But God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
- will redeem H6299 (פָּדָה) — to sever, i.e. ransom; generally to release, preserve
- my soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- from the power H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
- of the grave H7585 (שְׁאוֹל) — hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
- for he shall receive H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
- Selah H5542 (סֶלָה) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, When the glory of his house is increased:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Be not thou afraid H3372 (יָרֵא) — to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
- when one H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- is made rich H6238 (עָשַׁר) — properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich
- when the glory H3519 (כָּבוֹד) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
- of his house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- is increased H7235 (רָבָה) — to increase (in whatever respect)
17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- For when he dieth H4194 (מָוֶת) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
- he shall carry nothing away H3947 (לָקַח) — to take (in the widest variety of applications)
- his glory H3519 (כָּבוֹד) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
- shall not descend H3381 (יָרַד) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively,…
- after H310 (אַחַר) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul (And men praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself),Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Though while he lived H2416 (חַי) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing),…
- he blessed H1288 (בָּרַךְ) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)
- his soul H5315 (נֶפֶשׁ) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
- will praise H3034 (יָדָה) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)
- thee, when thou doest well H3190 (יָטַב) — to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see the light.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- He shall go H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- to the generation H1755 (דּוֹר) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
- of his fathers H1 (אָב) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
- they shall never H5331 (נֶצַח) — properly, a goal, i.e. the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objectively) confi…
- they shall never H3808 (לֹא) — not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
- see H7200 (רָאָה) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
- light H216 (אוֹר) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
20 Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, Is like the beasts that perish.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Man H120 (אָדָם) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
- in honour H3366 (יְקָר) — value, i.e. (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity
- and understandeth H995 (בִּין) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
- not, is like H4911 (מָשַׁל) — to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like); intransitively, to resemble
- the beasts H929 (בְּהֵמָה) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
- perish H1820 (דָּמָה) — to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. to destroy