Psalms 49

1 You people of all ethnic groups, listen! You people all over the world,

To him that excelleth. A Psalme committed to the sonnes of Korah. Heare this, all ye people: giue eare, all ye that dwell in the world,

2 important people and unimportant people, rich people and poor people, everyone, [listen to what I am saying],

As well lowe as hie, both rich and poore.

3 [because] what I am thinking is very sensible, and what I say will enable you to become wise!

My mouth shall speake of wisdome, and the meditation of mine heart is of knowledge.

4 I think about [MTY] (proverbs/wise sayings), and while I play my harp, I explain what they mean.

I will incline mine eare to a parable, and vtter my graue matter vpon the harpe.

5 I am not [RHQ] afraid when I am in trouble/danger, when I am surrounded by my enemies,

Wherefore should I feare in the euil dayes, when iniquitie shall compasse me about, as at mine heeles?

6 by evil men who trust that [things will always go well for them because] they are wealthy, and who boast about being very rich.

They trust in their goods, and boast them selues in the multitude of their riches.

7 [They may be rich], but no one can pay money with the result that he would live forever! No one can pay God enough so that God will allow him [to continue] to live,

Yet a man can by no meanes redeeme his brother: he can not giue his raunsome to God,

8 because that cost is too great, and he will never be able to pay enough

(So precious is the redemption of their soules, and the continuance for euer)

9 with the result that he will live forever and never [die and] be buried!

That he may liue still for euer, and not see the graue.

10 We see that foolish and stupid people die, but we see that wise people also die; they all leave their wealth, and others inherit it.

For he seeth that wise men die, and also that the ignorant and foolish perish, and leaue their riches for others.

11 Those wise people once had [houses on] land that they owned, [but now] their graves are their homes forever, the place where they will stay for all time!

Yet they thinke, their houses, and their habitations shall continue for euer, euen from generation to generation, and call their lands by their names.

12 Even if people are great, that cannot prevent them from dying; all people die, the same as animals do.

But man shall not continue in honour: he is like the beastes that die.

13 That is what happens to those who foolishly trust [in what they have accomplished], to those who are delighted in [all] that they possess.

This their way vttereth their foolishnes: yet their posteritie delite in their talke. (Selah)

14 They are certain to die just like sheep, when a shepherd leads them away to be slaughtered. [PRS, MET] In the morning righteous people will rule over them, and then [those wealthy people will die and] their bodies will quickly decay in their graves; they will be where dead people are, far from their homes. (Sheol h7585)

Like sheepe they lie in graue: death deuoureth them, and the righteous shall haue domination ouer them in the morning: for their beautie shall consume, when they shall goe from their house to graue. (Sheol h7585)

15 But it is certain that God will rescue me so that I am not kept in the place of the dead. (Sheol h7585)

But God shall deliuer my soule from the power of the graue: for he will receiue me. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)

16 [So], do not be dismayed when someone becomes rich and the houses where they live become more and more luxurious,

Be not thou afrayd when one is made rich, and when the glory of his house is increased.

17 because when he dies, he will take nothing with him; his wealth will not go with him.

For he shall take nothing away when he dieth, neither shall his pompe descende after him.

18 While [a rich person] is alive, he congratulates himself, and people praise him for being successful,

For while he liued, he reioyced himselfe: and men will prayse thee, when thou makest much of thy selfe.

19 but he will [die], joining his ancestors, who will never see daylight again.

He shall enter into the generation of his fathers, and they shall not liue for euer.

20 Even if someone is great, that cannot prevent him from dying; he will die, the same as animals do.

Man is in honour, and vnderstandeth not: he is like to beasts that perish.