4 I incline [C] mine ear to the parable, I propound my mysterious doctrine [D] upon the harp. 5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity of-those-who-plot-against-me environs me, [E] 6 Of those who trust in their own wealth, And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches? [F] 7 No man can by any means redeem his brother,[G] He cannot give unto God an atonement for him. self; [H] 8 For costly is the ransom of their soul; And he that ceaseth for ever, yet shall live. [I] 9 [K] To all eternity he shall not see corruption, Although he see it.-Wise men die 10 Equally with the foolish and stupid; They perish, and leave their wealth to strangers. 11 Their inward thought [L] is, that their houses* are for ever; Their dwellings from generation to generation; 12 For man, when he is in honour, will not understand, [M] He is like the beasts which sink into nothing.t 13 This way of theirs is their folly, Yet those-who-come-after-them delight-in their maxims. 14 Like-a-flock-of sheep they are appointed unto hell; Death is their shepherd. [N] The just shall-have-dominion over them in the morning; [0] * i. e. "Their families." + Inasmuch as he gives himself up, like a mere animal, to his appetites, as if he had neither hope nor fear beyond the present life. i. e. This way of using no discretion, (of not understanding) and of giving themselves up, like the brutes, to their appetites. And their beauty [P] is [appointed] to decay,hell is the dwelling for them. 15 But God shall redeem my soul From the power of hell, for he shall receive me.* 16 Fear thou not, when any one becometh rich, When the glory of his house is advanced. 17 Truly, when he dieth he shall carry nought away; His glory shall not follow him. 18 For while he lived, he received his gratificationst, And he shall praise thee because thou doest well for thyself. 19 He shall go[Q] to the generation of his fathers ; To all eternity they shall not see light. [R] *He," i. e. God shall take me to himself. † Literally," he blessed his soul," i. e. he received his gratifications; but hereafter he shall praise thee, who, by a more prudent conduct, providest for thy future happiness. "Son, remember, thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and, likewise, Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented." Luke, XVI, 25. 20 When man is in honour he will not understand; He is like the beasts which sink into nothing. PSALM L. THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL, AND THE ABOLITION OF THE MOSAIC RITUAL. PART I-PSALMIST. 1 The Omnipotent God, Jehovah hath spoken, And hath summoned the earth, from the rising of the sun to its going down.* 2 The perfection of beauty from Zion Hath God displayed. 3 Our God shall come and shall not be silent, A fire devoureth before him, And around him the whirlwind rageth. * This summoning of the earth from east to west can be nothing but the general promulgation of the gospel. 4 He shall summon the heavens from above, And the earth, to the judgement of his people. 5 " Assemble unto me, my saints, "Those who have struck the covenant with me over the sacrifice." 6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness, For God himself is judge. PART II.-GOD EXPOSTULATES. 7 Hear, O my people, for I will speak, 8 On account of thy sacrifices I will not reprove thee, Or thy burnt-offerings;-they are continually before me.* 9 I will not take a bullock out of thine house, Or he-goat out of thy folds. I have no complaint against thee on that account." Dr Durell. |