⁵ Why should I fear^(J) when evil days come,
    when wicked deceivers surround me—
⁶ those who trust in their wealth^(K)
    and boast^(L) of their great riches?^(M)
7 No one can redeem the life of another
    or give to God a ransom for them—
⁸ the ransom^(N) for a life is costly,
    no payment is ever enough—^(O)
9 so that they should live on^(P) forever
    and not see decay.^(Q)
10 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)
11 Their tombs^(V) will remain their houses^[b] forever,
    their dwellings for endless generations,^(W)
    though they had^[c] named^(X) lands after themselves.

¹² People, despite their wealth, do not endure;^(Y)
    they are like the beasts that perish.^(Z)

¹³ This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,^(AA)
    and of their followers, who approve their sayings.^[d]
14 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.
¹⁵ But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;^(AE)
    he will surely take me to himself.^(AF)
16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
    when the splendor of their houses increases;
¹⁷ for they will take nothing^(AG) with them when they die,
    their splendor will not descend with them.^(AH)
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—^(AI)
    and people praise you when you prosper—
¹⁹ they will join those who have gone before them,^(AJ)
    who will never again see the light^(AK) of life.

²⁰ People who have wealth but lack understanding^(AL)
    are like the beasts that perish.^(AM)

⁵ With one mind they plot together;^(I)
    they form an alliance against you—
⁶ the tents of Edom^(J) and the Ishmaelites,
    of Moab^(K) and the Hagrites,^(L)
7 Byblos,^(M) Ammon^(N) and Amalek,^(O)
    Philistia,^(P) with the people of Tyre.^(Q)
8 Even Assyria^(R) has joined them
    to reinforce Lot’s descendants.^[b](S)

⁹ Do to them as you did to Midian,^(T)
    as you did to Sisera^(U) and Jabin^(V) at the river Kishon,^(W)
10 who perished at Endor^(X)
    and became like dung^(Y) on the ground.
¹¹ Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,^(Z)
    all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,^(AA)
12 who said, “Let us take possession^(AB)
    of the pasturelands of God.”

¹³ Make them like tumbleweed, my God,
    like chaff^(AC) before the wind.
¹⁴ As fire consumes the forest
    or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,^(AD)
15 so pursue them with your tempest^(AE)
    and terrify them with your storm.^(AF)
16 Cover their faces with shame,^(AG) Lord,
    so that they will seek your name.

¹⁷ May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;^(AH)
    may they perish in disgrace.^(AI)
18 Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord^(AJ)—
    that you alone are the Most High^(AK) over all the earth.^(AL)

³ Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare^(E)
    and from the deadly pestilence.^(F)
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;^(G)
    his faithfulness will be your shield^(H) and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear^(I) the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.^(J)

⁹ If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm^(K) will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels^(L) concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;^(M)
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.^(N)
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.^(O)

¹⁴ “Because he^[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.^(P)
16 With long life^(Q) I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation.^(R)”