Psalms 49

1 Alamoth. To the chief music-maker. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm. Give attention to this, all you peoples; let your ears be open, all you who are living in the world.

“To the chief musician, by the sons of Korach, a psalm.” Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the perishable world:

2 High and low together, the poor, and those who have wealth.

Both the sons of the low and the sons of the high, rich and needy, altogether.

3 From my mouth will come words of wisdom; and in the thoughts of my heart will be knowledge.

My mouth shall speak wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

4 I will put my teaching into a story; I will make my dark sayings clear with music.

I will incline my ear to a parable: I will open with the harp my riddle.

5 What cause have I for fear in the days of evil, when the evil-doing of those who are working for my downfall is round about me?

Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my oppressors encompasseth me?—

6 Even of those whose faith is in their wealth, and whose hearts are lifted up because of their stores.

Of those that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves of the multitude of their riches?

7 Truly, no man may get back his soul for a price, or give to God the payment for himself;

No one can in any wise redeem his brother, nor can he give to God redemption money for himself;

8 (Because it takes a great price to keep his soul from death, and man is not able to give it.)

For the ransom of their soul is too costly, and it is omitted for ever.

9 So that he might have eternal life, and never see the underworld.

And should he still live for ever? not see the pit?

10 For he sees that wise men come to their end, and foolish persons of low behaviour come to destruction together, letting their wealth go to others.

For he must see that wise men die, that together the fool and the brutish person perish and leave to others their wealth.

11 The place of the dead is their house for ever, and their resting-place through all generations; those who come after them give their names to their lands.

Their inward thought is, that their houses are to be for ever, their dwelling-places, from generation to generation; they call them by their own names in [various] countries.

12 But man, like the animals, does not go on for ever; he comes to an end like the beasts.

Nevertheless man in [his] splendor endureth not: he is like the beasts [that] perish.

13 This is the way of the foolish; their silver is for those who come after them, and their children get the pleasure of their gold. (Selah)

This is their way, their folly: yet their posterity will take pleasure in their sayings. (Selah)

14 Death will give them their food like sheep; the underworld is their fate and they will go down into it; their flesh is food for worms; their form is wasted away; the underworld is their resting-place for ever. (Sheol h7585)

Like flocks are they thrust into the nether world; death will feed them; but the upright shall have dominion over them in that morning, and their form wasteth away in the nether world, [taken away] from their own dwelling. (Sheol h7585)

15 But God will get back my soul; for he will take me from the power of death. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the nether world; for he will take me away. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)

16 Have no fear when wealth comes to a man, and the glory of his house is increased;

Be not thou afraid when a man becometh rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

17 For at his death, he will take nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.

For when he dieth he can take nothing away; his glory will not descend after him.

18 Though he might have pride in his soul in his life-time, and men will give you praise if you do well for yourself,

For though he bless his soul during his life, and men praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself:

19 He will go to the generation of his fathers; he will not see the light again.

She shall go to the generation of his fathers, unto eternity will these never see light.

20 Man, like the animals, does not go on for ever; he comes to an end like the beasts.

Man, though in splendor, who understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. °