Psalms 49

1 Hear this, all you people; give ear, all you inhabitants of the world:

For the leader. Of the Korahites. A psalm. Hear this, you peoples all; attend, all you who live in the world

2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

people of low degree and high, the rich and the poor together.

3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

My mouth shall utter wisdom, the thoughts of a seeing heart.

4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

I incline my ear to a proverb, on the lyre I will open my riddle.

5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

Why should I be afraid in the days of misfortune, when circled by wicked and cunning foes,

6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

who put their trust in their wealth, and boast of their boundless riches?

7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

For assuredly no one can ransom themselves, or give to God the price of their life,

8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceases for ever: )

for the ransom of a life is costly, no payment is ever enough,

9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

to keep them alive for ever and ever, so as never to see the pit at all.

10 For he sees that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

But see it they will. Even wise people die, the fool and the brutish perish alike, and abandon their wealth to others.

11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

The grave is their everlasting home, the place they shall live in for ever and ever, though after their own names they called whole lands.

12 Nevertheless man being in honour abides not: he is like the beasts that perish.

Despite their wealth, they perish like dumb animals.

13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. (Selah)

This is the fate of the confident fool, and the end of those who are pleased with their portion. (Selah)

14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. (Sheol h7585)

Like sheep they descend to Sheol with Death for their shepherd; down they go straight to the grave, and their form wastes away in their home below. (Sheol h7585)

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)

But God will assuredly ransom my life from the hand of Sheol; for he will receive me. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)

16 Be not you afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

So be not afraid when someone grows rich, when the wealth of their house increases.

17 For when he dies he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

Not a shred of it all can they take when they die, wealth cannot follow them down.

18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise you, when you do well to yourself.

Though they count themselves happy, when they are alive, and win praise from many for faring so well,

19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

they must join their ancestors, who see the light nevermore.

20 Man that is in honour, and understands not, is like the beasts that perish.

The wealthy are without understanding, they perish like dumb animals.