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, by the sons of Korach, a psalm.” Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the perishable world:
2 As well lowe as hie, both rich and poore.
Both the sons of the low and the sons of the high, rich and needy, altogether.
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 my ear to a parable: I will open with the harp my riddle.
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 oppressors encompasseth me?—
6 They trust in their goods, and boast them selues in the multitude of their riches.
Of those that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves of 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 one can in any wise redeem his brother, nor can he give to God redemption money for himself;
8 (So precious is the redemption of their soules, and the continuance for euer)
For the ransom of their soul is too costly, and it is omitted for ever.
9 That he may liue still for euer, and not see the graue.
And should he still live for ever? 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 must see that wise men die, that together the fool and the brutish person perish and leave to others their wealth.
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 to be for ever, their dwelling-places, from generation to generation; they call them by their own names in [various] countries.
12 But man shall not continue in honour: he is like the beastes that die.
Nevertheless man in [his] splendor endureth not: he is like the beasts [that] perish.
13 This their way vttereth their foolishnes: yet their posteritie delite in their talke. (Selah)
This is their way, their folly: yet their posterity will take pleasure 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 flocks are they thrust into the nether world; death will feed them; but the upright shall have dominion over them in that morning, and their form wasteth away in the nether world, [taken away] from their own dwelling. (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 will take me away. (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 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 can take nothing away; his glory will not descend after him.
18 For while he liued, he reioyced himselfe: and men will prayse thee, when thou makest much of thy selfe.
For though he bless his soul during his life, and men 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.
She shall go to the generation of his fathers, unto eternity will these never see light.
20 Man is in honour, and vnderstandeth not: he is like to beasts that perish.
Man, though in splendor, who understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. °
