Psalms 49
49
PSALM 49
Common Meter: 8,6,8,6
To the chief Musician,
A Psalm for the sons of Korah.
1Hear this, all people, and give ear,
all in the world that dwell;
2Both low and high, both rich and poor.
3My mouth shall wisdom tell:
My heart shall knowledge meditate.
4I will incline mine ear
To parables, and on the harp
my sayings dark declare.
5Amidst those days that evil be,
why should I, fearing, doubt?
When of my heels th' iniquity
shall compass me about.
6Whoe'er they be that in their wealth
their confidence do pitch,
And boast themselves, because they are
become exceeding rich:
7Yet none of these his brother can
redeem by any way;
Nor can he unto God for him
sufficient ransom pay,
8(Their soul's redemption precious is,
and it can never be,)
9That still he should for ever live,
and not corruption see.
10For why? he seeth that wise men die,
and brutish fools also
Do perish; and their wealth, when dead,
to others they let go.
11Their inward thought is, that their house
and dwelling-places shall
Stand through all ages; they their lands
by their own names do call.
12But yet in honour shall not man
abide continually;
But passing hence, may be compar'd
unto the beasts that die.
13Thus brutish folly plainly is
their wisdom and their way;
Yet their posterity approve
what they do fondly say.
14Like sheep they in the grave are laid,
and death shall them devour;
And in the morning upright men
shall over them have pow'r:
Their beauty from their dwelling shall
consume within the grave.
15But from hell's hand God will me free,
for he shall me receive.
16Be thou not then afraid when one
enriched thou dost see,
Nor when the glory of his house
advanced is on high:
17For he shall carry nothing hence
when death his days doth end;
Nor shall his glory after him
into the grave descend.
18Although he his own soul did bless
whilst he on earth did live;
(And when thou to thyself dost well,
men will thee praises give;)
19He to his fathers' race shall go,
they never shall see light.
20Man honour'd wanting knowledge is
like beasts that perish quite.
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maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society
Psalms 49
49
To the director: A song from the Korah family.
1Listen to this, all you nations.
Pay attention, all you people on earth.
2Everyone, rich and poor, listen to me.
3I have some very wise words for you.
My thoughts will give you understanding.
4I listened to these sayings.
And now, with my harp, I will sing and make the hidden meaning clear.
5Why should I be afraid when trouble comes?
There is no need to fear when evil enemies surround me.
6They think their wealth will protect them.
They brag about how rich they are.
7But no one has enough to buy back a life,
and you cannot bribe#49:7 bribe Here, this means offering a gift or sacrifice so that God will not punish a guilty person. God.
8You will never get enough money
to pay for your own life.
9You will never have enough
to buy the right to live forever
and keep your body out of the grave.
10Look, the wise die the same as fools and stupid people.#49:10 stupid people Or “animals.”
They die and leave their wealth to others.
11The grave will be their new home forever.
And how much land they owned will not make any difference.
12People might be wealthy, but they cannot stay here forever.
They will die like the animals.
13That is what happens to all who trust in themselves
and to anyone who accepts their way of life. Selah
14They are just like sheep, but the grave will be their pen.
Death will be their shepherd.
When morning comes, the good people will enjoy victory,
as the bodies of the proud slowly rot in the grave,
far away from their fancy houses.
15But God will pay the price to save me from the grave.
He will take me to be with him. Selah
16Don’t be afraid of people just because they are rich.
Don’t be afraid of people just because they have big, fancy houses.
17They will not take anything with them when they die.
They will not take their wealth with them.
18A wealthy man might tell himself how well he has done in life.
And other people might praise him.
19But the time will come for him to die and go to his ancestors.
And he will never again see the light of day.
20Wealthy people don’t seem to understand
that they will die like the animals.
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