Psalms 49
1 Alamoth. To the chief music-maker. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm. Give attention to this, all you peoples; let your ears be open, all you who are living in the world.
Au chef des chantres. Des fils de Koré. Psaume. Écoutez ceci, vous tous, peuples, Prêtez l’oreille, vous tous, habitants du monde,
2 High and low together, the poor, and those who have wealth.
Petits et grands, Riches et pauvres!
3 From my mouth will come words of wisdom; and in the thoughts of my heart will be knowledge.
Ma bouche va faire entendre des paroles sages, Et mon cœur a des pensées pleines de sens.
4 I will put my teaching into a story; I will make my dark sayings clear with music.
Je prête l’oreille aux sentences qui me sont inspirées, J’ouvre mon chant au son de la harpe.
5 What cause have I for fear in the days of evil, when the evil-doing of those who are working for my downfall is round about me?
Pourquoi craindrais-je aux jours du malheur, Lorsque l’iniquité de mes adversaires m’enveloppe?
6 Even of those whose faith is in their wealth, and whose hearts are lifted up because of their stores.
Ils ont confiance en leurs biens, Et se glorifient de leur grande richesse.
7 Truly, no man may get back his soul for a price, or give to God the payment for himself;
Ils ne peuvent se racheter l’un l’autre, Ni donner à Dieu le prix du rachat.
8 (Because it takes a great price to keep his soul from death, and man is not able to give it.)
Le rachat de leur âme est cher, Et n’aura jamais lieu;
9 So that he might have eternal life, and never see the underworld.
Ils ne vivront pas toujours, Ils n’éviteront pas la vue de la fosse.
10 For he sees that wise men come to their end, and foolish persons of low behaviour come to destruction together, letting their wealth go to others.
Car ils la verront: les sages meurent, L’insensé et le stupide périssent également, Et ils laissent à d’autres leurs biens.
11 The place of the dead is their house for ever, and their resting-place through all generations; those who come after them give their names to their lands.
Ils s’imaginent que leurs maisons seront éternelles, Que leurs demeures subsisteront d’âge en âge, Eux dont les noms sont honorés sur la terre.
12 But man, like the animals, does not go on for ever; he comes to an end like the beasts.
Mais l’homme qui est en honneur n’a point de durée, Il est semblable aux bêtes que l’on égorge.
13 This is the way of the foolish; their silver is for those who come after them, and their children get the pleasure of their gold. (Selah)
Telle est leur voie, leur folie, Et ceux qui les suivent se plaisent à leurs discours. (Pause)
14 Death will give them their food like sheep; the underworld is their fate and they will go down into it; their flesh is food for worms; their form is wasted away; the underworld is their resting-place for ever. (Sheol h7585)
Comme un troupeau, ils sont mis dans le séjour des morts, La mort en fait sa pâture; Et bientôt les hommes droits les foulent aux pieds, Leur beauté s’évanouit, le séjour des morts est leur demeure. (Sheol h7585)
15 But God will get back my soul; for he will take me from the power of death. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)
Mais Dieu sauvera mon âme du séjour des morts, Car il me prendra sous sa protection. (Pause) (Sheol h7585)
16 Have no fear when wealth comes to a man, and the glory of his house is increased;
Ne sois pas dans la crainte parce qu’un homme s’enrichit, Parce que les trésors de sa maison se multiplient;
17 For at his death, he will take nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.
Car il n’emporte rien en mourant, Ses trésors ne descendent point après lui.
18 Though he might have pride in his soul in his life-time, and men will give you praise if you do well for yourself,
Il aura beau s’estimer heureux pendant sa vie, On aura beau te louer des jouissances que tu te donnes,
19 He will go to the generation of his fathers; he will not see the light again.
Tu iras néanmoins au séjour de tes pères, Qui jamais ne reverront la lumière.
20 Man, like the animals, does not go on for ever; he comes to an end like the beasts.
L’homme qui est en honneur, et qui n’a pas d’intelligence, Est semblable aux bêtes que l’on égorge.
