Hear this all people, and give ear, All ye that dwell on earth

Verse 1

Hear this, all people, and give ear, All ye that dwell on earth;

Verse 2

You're all concerned, both high, and low, Of base, or noble Bbrth.

Verse 3

My mouth shall speak of weighty things, Which wisdom will impart; Of sacred understanding are The musings of my heart.

Verse 4

To search out secret parables, I will incline mine ear: And with soft touches of my harp, Mysterious truths declare.

Verse 5

Wherefore should I, in evil days, Be overwhelmed with fears; When the transgressions of my heels Encompass me with snares?

Verse 6

There's none of those who trust in wealth, And in their riches boast,

Verse 7

Their brother can redeem; or give To God sufficient cost;

Verse 8

(Life's of too great a price for wealth, No sum can equal be;)

Verse 9

That he should still forever live. And no corruption see.

Verse 10

'Tis daily seen, that wise and fools Alike go to the grave; And all their wealth, though ne'er so loath, To their successors leave.

Verse 11

Man vainly thinks, his house shall stand, Forever fixed in fame; And therefore calls his dwelling place And lands, by his own name.

Verse 12

But man, in honor, soon decays; And, like the beasts, he dies;

Verse 13

Their folly's great; and yet their sons Still think their sayings wise.

Verse 14

Like sheep, they're crowded in the grave, Death's prey; o'er them the just Reign in the morn; their strength's consumed, Whose dwelling's in the dust.

Verse 15

But God will, in that glorious day, Me from the grave retrieve; Redeem me from the power of death, And to himself receive.

Verse 16

Then ben't concerned if men grow rich; Their house in glory rise.

Verse 17

Death drips them of their former pomp, Their glory, with them, dies.

Verse 18

Though while he lived, he blessed himself; And men his skill shall praise.

Verse 19

He shall go to his father's race; And ne'er see happy days.

Verse 20

Man, that to honor is advanced, And is not truly wise; As void of understanding lives, So like a beast he dies.