Psalms 49

1 To him that excelleth. A Psalme committed to the sonnes of Korah. Heare this, all ye people: giue eare, all ye that dwell in the world,

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 As well lowe as hie, both rich and poore.

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

3 My mouth shall speake of wisdome, and the meditation of mine heart is of knowledge.

My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall bring [forth] understanding.

4 I will incline mine eare to a parable, and vtter my graue matter vpon the harpe.

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

5 Wherefore should I feare in the euil dayes, when iniquitie shall compasse me about, as at mine heeles?

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

6 They trust in their goods, and boast them selues in the multitude of their riches.

They that trust in their strength, and boast themselves in the multitude of their wealth—

7 Yet a man can by no meanes redeeme his brother: he can not giue his raunsome to God,

A brother does not redeem, shall a man redeem? he shall not give to God a ransom for himself,

8 (So precious is the redemption of their soules, and the continuance for euer)

or the price of the redemption of his soul, though he labour for ever,

9 That he may liue still for euer, and not see the graue.

and live to the end, [so] that he should not see corruption.

10 For he seeth that wise men die, and also that the ignorant and foolish perish, and leaue their riches for others.

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 Yet they thinke, their houses, and their habitations shall continue for euer, euen from generation to generation, and call their lands by their 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 But man shall not continue in honour: he is like the beastes that die.

And man being in honour, understands not: he is compared to the senseless cattle, and is like to them.

13 This their way vttereth their foolishnes: yet their posteritie delite in their talke. (Selah)

This their way is an offence to them: yet afterwards men will commend their sayings. (Pause)

14 Like sheepe they lie in graue: death deuoureth them, and the righteous shall haue domination ouer them in the morning: for their beautie shall consume, when they shall goe from their house to graue. (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 deliuer my soule from the power of the graue: for he will receiue me. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)

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

16 Be not thou afrayd when one is made rich, 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 away when he dieth, neither shall his pompe descende after him.

For he shall take nothing when he dies; neither shall his glory descend with him.

18 For while he liued, he reioyced himselfe: and men will prayse thee, when thou makest much of thy selfe.

For his soul shall be blessed in his life: he shall give thanks to thee when thou dost well to him.

19 He shall enter into the generation of his fathers, and they shall not liue for euer.

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

20 Man is in honour, and vnderstandeth not: he is like to beasts that perish.

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