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