< Psalms 49 >
1 For the end, a Psalm for the sons of Core. Hear these words, all ye nations, hearken, all ye that dwell upon the earth:
2 both the sons of mean men, and sons of [great] men; the rich and poor [man] together.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall bring [forth] understanding.
4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my riddle on the harp.
5 Wherefore should I fear in the evil day? the iniquity of my heel shall compass me.
6 They that trust in their strength, and boast themselves in the multitude of their wealth—
7 A brother does not redeem, shall a man redeem? he shall not give to God a ransom for himself,
8 or the price of the redemption of his soul, though he labour for ever,
9 and live to the end, [so] that he should not see corruption.
10 When he shall see wise men dying, the fool and the senseless one shall perish together; and they shall leave their wealth to strangers.
11 And their sepulchres are their houses for ever, [even] their tabernacles to all generations: they have called their lands after their own names.
12 And man being in honour, understands not: he is compared to the senseless cattle, and is like to them.
13 This their way is an offence to them: yet afterwards men will commend their sayings. (Pause)
14 They have laid [them] as sheep in Hades; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, and their help shall fail in Hades from their glory. (Sheol )
15 But God shall deliver my soul from the power of Hades, when he shall receive me. (Pause) (Sheol )
16 Fear not when a man is enriched, and when the glory of his house is increased.
17 For he shall take nothing when he dies; neither shall his glory descend with him.
18 For his soul shall be blessed in his life: he shall give thanks to thee when thou dost well to him.
19 [Yet] he shall go in to the generation of his fathers; he shall never see light.
20 Man that is in honour, understands not: he is compared to the senseless cattle, and is like them.
