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. Of the Korahites. A psalm. Hear this, you peoples all; attend, all you who live in the world
2 As well lowe as hie, both rich and poore.
people of low degree and high, the rich and the poor together.
3 My mouth shall speake of wisdome, and the meditation of mine heart is of knowledge.
My mouth shall utter wisdom, the thoughts of a seeing heart.
4 I will incline mine eare to a parable, and vtter my graue matter vpon the harpe.
I incline my ear to a proverb, on the lyre I will open my riddle.
5 Wherefore should I feare in the euil dayes, when iniquitie shall compasse me about, as at mine heeles?
Why should I be afraid in the days of misfortune, when circled by wicked and cunning foes,
6 They trust in their goods, and boast them selues in the multitude of their riches.
who put their trust in their wealth, and boast of their boundless riches?
7 Yet a man can by no meanes redeeme his brother: he can not giue his raunsome to God,
For assuredly no one can ransom themselves, or give to God the price of their life,
8 (So precious is the redemption of their soules, and the continuance for euer)
for the ransom of a life is costly, no payment is ever enough,
9 That he may liue still for euer, and not see the graue.
to keep them alive for ever and ever, so as never to see the pit at all.
10 For he seeth that wise men die, and also that the ignorant and foolish perish, and leaue their riches for others.
But see it they will. Even wise people die, the fool and the brutish perish alike, and abandon 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.
The grave is their everlasting home, the place they shall live in for ever and ever, though after their own names they called whole lands.
12 But man shall not continue in honour: he is like the beastes that die.
Despite their wealth, they perish like dumb animals.
13 This their way vttereth their foolishnes: yet their posteritie delite in their talke. (Selah)
This is the fate of the confident fool, and the end of those who are pleased with their portion. (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 descend to Sheol with Death for their shepherd; down they go straight to the grave, and their form wastes away in their home below. (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 assuredly ransom my life from the hand 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.
So be not afraid when someone grows rich, when the wealth of their house increases.
17 For he shall take nothing away when he dieth, neither shall his pompe descende after him.
Not a shred of it all can they take when they die, wealth cannot follow them down.
18 For while he liued, he reioyced himselfe: and men will prayse thee, when thou makest much of thy selfe.
Though they count themselves happy, when they are alive, and win praise from many for faring so well,
19 He shall enter into the generation of his fathers, and they shall not liue for euer.
they must join their ancestors, who see the light nevermore.
20 Man is in honour, and vnderstandeth not: he is like to beasts that perish.
The wealthy are without understanding, they perish like dumb animals.
