Psalms 49

1 For the end, a Psalm for the sons of Core. Hear these words, all you nations, listen, all you that dwell upon the earth:

For the end, a Psalm for the sons of Core. Hear these words, all you nations, listen, all you that dwell upon the earth:

2 both the sons of mean men, and sons of [great] men; the rich and poor [man] together.

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.

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.

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

5 Therefore should I fear in the evil day? the iniquity of my heel shall compass me.

Therefore 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—

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,

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,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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 h7585)

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 h7585)

15 But God shall deliver my soul from the power of Hades, when he shall receive me. (Pause) (Sheol h7585)

But God shall deliver my soul from the power of Hades, when he shall receive me. (Pause) (Sheol h7585)

16 Fear not when a man is enriched, and when the glory of his house is increased.

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.

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 you when you do well to him.

For his soul shall be blessed in his life: he shall give thanks to you when you do well to him.

19 [Yet] he shall go in to the generation of his fathers; he shall never see light.

[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.

Man that is in honour, understands not: he is compared to the senseless cattle, and is like them.