Psalms 49:1-17

Psalm 49

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!

49:2 Pay attention, all you people,

both rich and poor!

49:3 I will declare a wise saying;

I will share my profound thoughts.

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

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

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

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

49:6 They trust in their wealth

and boast in their great riches.

49:7 Certainly a man cannot rescue his brother;

he cannot pay God an adequate ransom price

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

and people go to their final destiny),

49:9 so that he might continue to live forever

and not experience death.

49:10 Surely one sees that even wise people die;

fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away

and leave their wealth to others.

49:11 Their grave becomes their permanent residence,

their eternal dwelling place.

They name their lands after themselves,

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

they are like animals that perish.

49:13 This is the destiny of fools,

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

49:14 They will travel to Sheol like sheep,

with death as their shepherd.

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

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

49:15 But God will rescue my life from the power of Sheol;

certainly he will pull me to safety. (Selah)

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

and his wealth multiplies!

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

his wealth will not follow him down into the grave.