Psalms 49

Psalm 491

For the music director, a psalm by the Korahites.

49:1 Listen to this, all you nations!

Pay attention, all you inhabitants of the world!2

49:2 Pay attention, all you people,3

both rich and poor!

49:3 I will declare a wise saying;4

I will share my profound thoughts.5

49:4 I will learn a song that imparts wisdom;

I will then sing my insightful song to the accompaniment of a harp.6

49:5 Why should I be afraid in times of trouble,7

when the sinful deeds of deceptive men threaten to overwhelm me?8

49:6 They trust9 in their wealth

and boast10 in their great riches.

49:7 Certainly a man cannot rescue his brother;11

he cannot pay God an adequate ransom price12

49:8 (the ransom price for a human life13 is too high,

and people go to their final destiny),14

49:9 so that he might continue to live15 forever

and not experience death.16

49:10 Surely17 one sees18 that even wise people die;19

fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away20

and leave their wealth to others.21

49:11 Their grave becomes their permanent residence,

their eternal dwelling place.22

They name their lands after themselves,23

49:12 but, despite their wealth, people do not last,24

they are like animals25 that perish.26

49:13 This is the destiny of fools,27

and of those who approve of their philosophy.28 (Selah)

49:14 They will travel to Sheol like sheep,29

with death as their shepherd.30

The godly will rule31 over them when the day of vindication dawns;32

Sheol will consume their bodies and they will no longer live in impressive houses.33

49:15 But34 God will rescue35 my life36 from the power37 of Sheol;

certainly38 he will pull me to safety.39 (Selah)

49:16 Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich40

and his wealth multiplies!41

49:17 For he will take nothing with him when he dies;

his wealth will not follow him down into the grave.42

49:18 He pronounces this blessing on himself while he is alive:

“May men praise you, for you have done well!”

49:19 But he will join his ancestors;43

they will never again see the light of day.44

49:20 Wealthy people do not understand;45

they are like animals46 that perish.47

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