1 God is our refuge and strength, ♦︎
a very present help in trouble;
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, ♦︎
and though the mountains tremble in the heart of the sea;
3 Though the waters rage and swell, ♦︎
and though the mountains quake at the towering seas.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, ♦︎
the holy place of the dwelling of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her;
therefore shall she not be removed; ♦︎
God shall help her at the break of day.
6 The nations are in uproar and the kingdoms are shaken, ♦︎
but God utters his voice and the earth shall melt away.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us; ♦︎
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
8 Come and behold the works of the Lord, ♦︎
what destruction he has wrought upon the earth.
9 He makes wars to cease in all the world; ♦︎
he shatters the bow and snaps the spear
and burns the chariots in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God; ♦︎
I will be exalted among the nations;
I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; ♦︎
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
1 Hear this, all you peoples; ♦︎
listen, all you that dwell in the world,
2 You of low or high degree, ♦︎
both rich and poor together.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom ♦︎
and my heart shall meditate on understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a parable; ♦︎
I will unfold my riddle with the lyre.
5 Why should I fear in evil days, ♦︎
when the malice of my foes surrounds me,
6 Such as trust in their goods ♦︎
and glory in the abundance of their riches?
7 For no one can indeed ransom another ♦︎
or pay to God the price of deliverance.
8 To ransom a soul is too costly; ♦︎
there is no price one could pay for it,
9 So that they might live for ever, ♦︎
and never see the grave.
10 For we see that the wise die also;
with the foolish and ignorant they perish ♦︎
and leave their riches to others.
11 Their tomb is their home for ever,
their dwelling through all generations, ♦︎
though they call their lands after their own names.
12 Those who have honour, but lack understanding, ♦︎
are like the beasts that perish.
13 Such is the way of those who boast in themselves, ♦︎
the end of those who delight in their own words.
14 Like a flock of sheep they are destined to die;
death is their shepherd; ♦︎
they go down straight to the Pit.
15 Their beauty shall waste away, ♦︎
and the land of the dead shall be their dwelling.
16 But God shall ransom my soul; ♦︎
from the grasp of death will he take me.
17 Be not afraid if some grow rich ♦︎
and the glory of their house increases,
18 For they will carry nothing away when they die, ♦︎
nor will their glory follow after them.
19 Though they count themselves happy while they live ♦︎
and praise you for your success,
20 They shall enter the company of their ancestors ♦︎
who will nevermore see the light.
21 Those who have honour, but lack understanding, ♦︎
are like the beasts that perish.