Psalmorum 49
1 In finem, filiis Core. Psalmus. [Audite hæc, omnes gentes; auribus percipite, omnes qui habitatis orbem:
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples. Listen, all you inhabitants of the world,
2 quique terrigenæ et filii hominum, simul in unum dives et pauper.
both low and high, rich and poor together.
3 Os meum loquetur sapientiam, et meditatio cordis mei prudentiam.
My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart will utter understanding.
4 Inclinabo in parabolam aurem meam; aperiam in psalterio propositionem meam.
I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will solve my riddle on the harp.
5 Cur timebo in die mala? iniquitas calcanei mei circumdabit me.
Why should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
6 Qui confidunt in virtute sua, et in multitudine divitiarum suarum, gloriantur.
Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches—
7 Frater non redimit, redimet homo: non dabit Deo placationem suam,
none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him.
8 et pretium redemptionis animæ suæ. Et laborabit in æternum;
For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is ever enough,
9 et vivet adhuc in finem.
that he should live on forever, that he should not see corruption.
10 Non videbit interitum, cum viderit sapientes morientes: simul insipiens et stultus peribunt. Et relinquent alienis divitias suas,
For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless perish, and leave their wealth to others.
11 et sepulchra eorum domus illorum in æternum; tabernacula eorum in progenie et progenie: vocaverunt nomina sua in terris suis.
Their inward thought is that their houses will endure forever, and their dwelling places to all generations. They name their lands after themselves.
12 Et homo, cum in honore esset, non intellexit. Comparatus est jumentis insipientibus, et similis factus est illis.
But man, despite his riches, doesn’t endure. He is like the animals that perish.
13 Hæc via illorum scandalum ipsis; et postea in ore suo complacebunt.
This is the destiny of those who are foolish, and of those who approve their sayings. (Selah)
14 Sicut oves in inferno positi sunt: mors depascet eos. Et dominabuntur eorum justi in matutino; et auxilium eorum veterascet in inferno a gloria eorum. (Sheol h7585)
They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, far from their mansion. (Sheol h7585)
But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)
16 Ne timueris cum dives factus fuerit homo, et cum multiplicata fuerit gloria domus ejus:
Don’t be afraid when a man is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
17 quoniam, cum interierit, non sumet omnia, neque descendet cum eo gloria ejus.
for when he dies he will carry nothing away. His glory won’t descend after him.
18 Quia anima ejus in vita ipsius benedicetur; confitebitur tibi cum benefeceris ei.
Though while he lived he blessed his soul— and men praise you when you do well for yourself—
19 Introibit usque in progenies patrum suorum; et usque in æternum non videbit lumen.
he shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light.
20 Homo, cum in honore esset, non intellexit. Comparatus est jumentis insipientibus, et similis factus est illis.]
A man who has riches without understanding, is like the animals that perish.
