49:1
For the Leader; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.
49:2
Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,
49:3
Both low and high, rich and poor together.
49:4
My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
49:5
I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
49:6
Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my supplanters compasseth me about,
49:7
Of them that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches?
49:8
No man can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him--
49:9
For too costly is the redemption of their soul, and must be let alone for ever--
49:10
That he should still live alway, that he should not see the pit.
49:11
For he seeth that wise men die, the fool and the brutish together perish, and leave their wealth to others.
49:12
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling-places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
49:13
But man abideth not in honour; he is like the beasts that perish.
49:14
This is the way of them that are foolish, and of those who after them approve their sayings. Selah
49:15
Like sheep they are appointed for the nether-world; death shall be their shepherd; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their form shall be for the nether-world to wear away, that there be no habitation for it.
49:16
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the nether-world; for He shall receive me. Selah
49:17
Be not thou afraid when one waxeth rich, when the wealth of his house is increased;
49:18
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; his wealth shall not descend after him.
49:19
Though while he lived he blessed his soul: 'Men will praise thee, when thou shalt do well to thyself';
49:20
It shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see the light.
49:21
Man that is in honour understandeth not; he is like the beasts that perish.