For the music director; by David. Fools say to themselves, ²  “There is no God.” ³  They sin and commit evil deeds; ⁴  none of them does what is right. ⁵ 

He plans ways to sin while he lies in bed; he is committed to a sinful lifestyle; ¹  he does not reject what is evil. ² 

For the music director; according to the machalath style; ²  a well-written song ³  by David. Fools say to themselves, ⁴  “There is no God.” ⁵  They sin and commit evil deeds; ⁶  none of them does what is right. ⁷ 

Certainly ¹  spending just one day in your temple courts is better than spending a thousand elsewhere. ²  I would rather stand at the entrance ³  to the temple of my God than live ⁴  in the tents of the wicked.

For the Lord God is our sovereign protector. ¹  The Lord bestows favor ²  and honor; he withholds no good thing from those who have integrity. ³ 

It is like fine oil poured on the head which flows down the beard ¹  – Aaron’s beard, and then flows down his garments. ² 

Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not enter your brother’s house in the day of your disaster; a neighbor nearby is better than a brother far away. ¹ 

I thought to myself, ¹  “Come now, ²  I will try ³  self-indulgent pleasure ⁴  to see ⁵  if it is worthwhile.” ⁶  But I found ⁷  that it also is futile. ⁸ 

So I perceived there is nothing better than for people ¹  to enjoy their work, ²  because that is their ³  reward; for who can show them what the future holds? ⁴ 

But better than both is the one who has not been born ¹  and has not seen the evil things that are done on earth. ² 

When someone’s ¹  prosperity ²  increases, those who consume it also increase; so what does its owner ³  gain, except that he gets to see it with his eyes? ⁴ 

if he should live a thousand years twice, yet does not enjoy his prosperity. For both of them die! ¹ 

It is better to go to a funeral ¹  than a feast. ²  For death ³  is the destiny ⁴  of every person, ⁵  and the living should ⁶  take this ⁷  to heart.

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these days?” ¹  for it is not wise to ask that. ² 

It is best to take hold of one warning ¹  without letting go of the other warning; ²  for the one who fears God will follow ³  both warnings. ⁴ 

But it will not go well with the wicked, nor will they ¹  prolong their ²  days like a shadow, ³  because they ⁴  do not stand in fear ⁵  before God.

But whoever is among ¹  the living ²  has hope; a live dog is better than a dead lion.

Go, eat your food ¹  with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved your works.

For God will evaluate every deed, ¹  including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

The Lord who commands armies told me this: ¹  “Many houses will certainly become desolate, large, impressive houses will have no one living in them. ²