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 Leader; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,

2 As well lowe as hie, both rich and poore.

Both low and high, rich and poor together.

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 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 dark saying 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 evil, when the iniquity of my supplanters compasseth me about,

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

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

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

No man 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 too costly is the redemption of their soul, and must be let alone for ever —

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

That he should still live alway, that he should not see the pit.

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, the fool and the brutish together perish, and 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 shall continue for ever, and their dwelling-places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

12 But man shall not continue in honour: he is like the beastes that die.

But man abideth not in honour; he is like the beasts that perish.

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

This is the way of them that are foolish, and of those who after them approve 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 they are appointed for the nether-world; death shall be their shepherd; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their form shall be for the nether-world to wear away, that there be no habitation for it. (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 the nether-world; for He shall 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 thou afraid when one waxeth rich, when the wealth 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 wealth 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 while he lived he blessed his soul: 'Men will praise thee, when thou shalt do 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 the light.

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

Man that is in honour understandeth not; he is like the beasts that perish.