Psalms 49

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Despite their wealth, they perish like dumb animals.

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 is the fate of the confident fool, and the end of those who are pleased with their portion. (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 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 it is certain that God will rescue me so that I am not kept in the place of the dead. (Sheol h7585)

But God will assuredly ransom my life from the hand of Sheol; for he will receive 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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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