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:

For the Chief Musician; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye peoples; 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 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 iniquity at my heels compasseth 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 costly, and must be let alone for ever: )

9 That he should still live for ever, [and] not see corruption.

That he should still live alway, that he should 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, the fool and the brutish together 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.

But man abideth not in honour: 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 after them men 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 h7585)

They are appointed as a flock for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd: and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, that there be no habitation for it. (Sheol h7585)

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)

But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol: for he shall receive me. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)

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 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 the 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.