The universality of death is such an obvious fact as to dispense with all comment. But the psalmist’s point is that riches are not permanent, and so people should rather put their faith in God. The wise … the fool and the stupid all must die, and their wealth goes to others (verse 10), while they themselves remain in Their graves forever (verse 11a-b).

In verse 11a Their graves (in Hebrew qibram) is the text supported by the ancient versions; the Masoretic text is qirbam “their inner (thoughts).” Practically all modern translations and Hebrew Old Testament Text Project favor the versional text. Line b in Hebrew is exactly parallel to line a.

In line c the Hebrew is a bit obscure, but most commentators and translators agree that the meaning is that expressed by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Named lands their own probably refers to obtaining land through a legal transfer of ownership. It is equivalent to saying “though they once held title to their own lands.” Translators should use the expression that indicates legal ownership of land; for example, “though they ate in agreement on the land they acquired.” New Jerusalem Bible sees not the idea of wealth, property, but of importance: “of those once famous on earth.” In some languages it may be more effective to imitate Bible en français courant and place as the first line of verse 11, “Even though they had lands of their own, their graves….”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .