< Psalms 49 >
1 “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 Both the sons of the low and the sons of the high, rich and needy, altogether.
3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a parable: I will open with the harp my riddle.
5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my oppressors encompasseth me?—
6 Of those that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves of the multitude of their riches?
7 No one can in any wise redeem his brother, nor can he give to God redemption money for himself;
8 For the ransom of their soul is too costly, and it is omitted for ever.
9 And should he still live for ever? not see the pit?
10 For he must see that wise men die, that together the fool and the brutish person perish and leave to others their wealth.
11 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 Nevertheless man in [his] splendor endureth not: he is like the beasts [that] perish.
13 This is their way, their folly: yet their posterity will take pleasure in their sayings. (Selah)
14 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 )
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the nether world; for he will take me away. (Selah) (Sheol )
16 Be not thou afraid when a man becometh rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dieth he can take nothing away; his glory will not descend after him.
18 For though he bless his soul during his life, and men praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself:
19 She shall go to the generation of his fathers, unto eternity will these never see light.
20 Man, though in splendor, who understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. °
