< 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,
To the chief Musician. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm. Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world:
2 As well lowe as hie, both rich and poore.
Both men of low and men of high degree, rich and poor alike.
3 My mouth shall speake of wisdome, and the meditation of mine heart is of knowledge.
My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of 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 upon 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 days of adversity, [when] the iniquity of my supplanters encompasseth me? —
6 They trust in their goods, and boast them selues in the multitude of their riches.
They depend upon their wealth, and boast themselves in the abundance of their riches. ...
7 Yet a man can by no meanes redeeme his brother: he can not giue his raunsome to God,
None can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him,
8 (So precious is the redemption of their soules, and the continuance for euer)
(For the redemption of their soul is costly, and must be given up for ever, )
9 That he may liue still for euer, and not see the graue.
That he should still live perpetually, [and] 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.
For he seeth that wise men die; all alike, the fool and the brutish perish, and they leave their wealth to others.
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.
Their inward thought is, that their houses are for ever, their dwelling-places from generation to generation: they call the lands after their own names.
12 But man shall not continue in honour: he is like the beastes that die.
Nevertheless, man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
13 This their way vttereth their foolishnes: yet their posteritie delite in their talke. (Selah)
This their way is their folly, yet they that come after them delight in their sayings. (Selah)
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)
Like sheep are they laid in Sheol: Death feedeth on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their comeliness shall be for Sheol to consume, that there be no habitation for them. (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 will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol: for he will receive me. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)
16 Be not thou afrayd when one is made rich, and when the glory of his house is increased.
Be not afraid when a man becometh rich, 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 when he dieth, he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him.
18 For while he liued, he reioyced himselfe: and men will prayse thee, when thou makest much of thy selfe.
Though he blessed his soul in his lifetime, — and men will praise thee when thou doest well to thyself, —
19 He shall enter into the generation of his fathers, and they shall not liue for euer.
It shall go to the generation of his fathers: they shall never see light.
20 Man is in honour, and vnderstandeth not: he is like to beasts that perish.
Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

< Psalms 49 >