Psalms 49

1 You people of all ethnic groups, listen! You people all over 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 important people and unimportant people, rich people and poor people, everyone, [listen to what I am saying],

Both low and high, together rich and needy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

Only, God doth ransom my soul from the hand of Sheol, For He doth 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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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