< Psalms 49 >
1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all [ye] people; give ear, all [ye] inhabitants of the world:
HEAR this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
2 Both low and high, rich and poor together.
Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart [shall be] of understanding.
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, [when] the iniquity of my heels shall encompass me?
Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
7 None [of them] can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul [is] precious, and it ceaseth for ever: )
(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever: )
9 That he should still live for ever, [and] not see corruption.
That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
10 For he seeth [that] wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
11 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.
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 Nevertheless man [being] in honor abideth not: he is like the beasts [that] perish.
Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
13 This their way [is] their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. (Selah)
This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. (Selah)
14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. (Sheol )
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. (Sheol )
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. (Selah) (Sheol )
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. (Selah) (Sheol )
16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and [men] will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
20 Man [that is] in honor, and understandeth not, is like the beasts [that] perish.
Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.