Psalmorum 49
1 In finem, filiis Core Psalmus. Audite hæc omnes gentes: auribus percipite omnes, qui habitatis orbem:
For the music director. A psalm of the sons of Korah. Listen to this, everyone! Pay attention, people of the world—
2 Quique terrigenæ, et filii hominum: simul in unum dives et pauper.
whether you are highborn or lowborn, rich or poor!
3 Os meum loquetur sapientiam: et meditatio cordis mei prudentiam.
For what I say is wise, and my thinking is perceptive.
4 Inclinabo in parabolam aurem meam: aperiam in psalterio propositionem meam.
I pay attention to wise sayings; I answer hard questions to a tune on the harp.
5 Cur timebo in die mala? iniquitas calcanei mei circumdabit me:
Why should I be afraid when trouble comes, when evil enemies surround me?
6 Qui confidunt in virtute sua: et in multitudine divitiarum suarum gloriantur.
They trust in their wealth; they boast about their riches,
7 Frater non redimit, redimet homo: non dabit Deo placationem suam.
but no one can pay to rescue another from death; no one can pay a ransom to God.
8 Et pretium redemptionis animæ suæ: et laborabit in æternum,
Redemption is beyond price; no one could ever pay enough
9 et vivet adhuc in finem.
that they could live forever and not face the grave.
10 Non videbit interitum, cum viderit sapientes morientes: simul insipiens, et stultus peribunt. Et relinquent alienis divitias suas:
Everyone knows that the wise die, those who are foolish and stupid too, leaving what they have to the next generation.
11 et sepulchra eorum domus illorum in æternum. Tabernacula eorum in progenie, et progenie: vocaverunt nomina sua in terris suis.
They think their homes will last forever, that where they live will continue for all generations.
12 Et homo, cum in honore esset, non intellexit: comparatus est iumentis insipientibus, et similis factus est illis.
But human beings, for all their fame, don't understand. They die, just like the animals.
13 Hæc via illorum scandalum ipsis: et postea in ore suo complacebunt.
This is the way of foolish people, yet those who come after them think they were clever! (Selah)
14 Sicut oves in inferno positi sunt: mors depascet eos. Et dominabuntur eorum iusti in matutino: et auxilium eorum veterascet in inferno a gloria eorum. (Sheol h7585)
Like sheep they are destined for the grave. Death will be their shepherd. Those who live right will rule over them in the morning. Their bodies will decay in the grave, far from their homes. (Sheol h7585)
But surely God will rescue me from the power of the grave; he will grab me back. (Selah) (Sheol h7585)
16 Ne timueris cum dives factus fuerit homo: et cum multiplicata fuerit gloria domus eius.
Don't be disturbed when people become rich, filling their houses with possessions.
17 Quoniam cum interierit, non sumet omnia: neque descendet cum eo gloria eius.
For they won't take anything with them when they die; their wealth will not go down into the grave with them.
18 Quia anima eius in vita ipsius benedicetur: confitebitur tibi cum benefeceris ei.
They congratulate themselves for all they possess—people always praise you when you do well—
19 Introibit usque in progenies patrum suorum: et usque in æternum non videbit lumen.
but their destiny is the same as their forefathers: they will never again see the light of day.
20 Homo, cum in honore esset, non intellexit: comparatus est iumentis insipientibus, et similis factus est illis.
Human beings, for all their fame, don't understand, and they die, just like the animals.
