Psalms 49

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

To the Overseer. — By sons of Korah. A Psalm. Hear this, all ye peoples, Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.

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

Both low and high, together rich and needy.

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

My mouth speaketh wise things, And the meditations of my heart [are] things of understanding.

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

I incline to a simile mine ear, I open with a harp my riddle:

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

Why do I fear in days of evil? The iniquity of my supplanters doth compass me.

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

Those trusting on their wealth, And in the multitude of their riches, Do shew themselves foolish.

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

A brother doth no one at all ransom, He doth not give to God his atonement.

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

And precious [is] the redemption of their soul, And it hath ceased — to the age.

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

And still he liveth for ever, He seeth not the pit.

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

For he seeth wise men die, Together the foolish and brutish perish, And have left to others their wealth.

11 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.

Their heart [is]: Their houses [are] to the age, Their tabernacles to all generations. They proclaimed their names over the lands.

12 Despite their wealth, they perish like dumb animals.

And man in honour doth not remain, He hath been like the beasts, they have been cut off.

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

This their way [is] folly for them, And their posterity with their sayings are pleased. (Selah)

14 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)

As sheep for Sheol they have set themselves, Death doth afflict them, And the upright rule over them in the morning, And their form [is] for consumption. Sheol [is] a dwelling for him. (Sheol h7585)

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

Only, God doth ransom my soul from the hand of Sheol, For He doth receive me. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)

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

Fear not, when one maketh wealth, When the honour of his house is abundant,

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

For at his death he receiveth nothing, His honour goeth not down after him.

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

For his soul in his life he blesseth, (And they praise thee when thou dost well for thyself.)

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

It cometh to the generation of his fathers, For ever they see not the light.

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

Man in honour, who understandest not, Hath been like the beasts, they have been cut off!