Psalm 49

1To the Overseer. — By sons of Korah. A Psalm. Hear this, all ye peoples, Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.

2Both low and high, together rich and needy.

3My mouth speaketh wise things, And the meditations of my heart are things of understanding.

4I incline to a simile mine ear, I open with a harp my riddle:

5Why do I fear in days of evil? The iniquity of my supplanters doth compass me.

6Those trusting on their wealth, And in the multitude of their riches, Do shew themselves foolish.

7A brother doth no one at all ransom, He doth not give to God his atonement.

8And precious is the redemption of their soul, And it hath ceased — to the age.

9And still he liveth for ever, He seeth not the pit.

10For he seeth wise men die, Together the foolish and brutish perish, And have left to others their wealth.

11Their heart is: Their houses are to the age, Their tabernacles to all generations. They proclaimed their names over the lands.

12And man in honour doth not remain, He hath been like the beasts, they have been cut off.

13This their way is folly for them, And their posterity with their sayings are pleased. Selah.

14As sheep for Sheol they have set themselves, Death doth afflict them, And the upright rule over them in the morning, And their form is for consumption. Sheol is a dwelling for him.

15Only, God doth ransom my soul from the hand of Sheol, For He doth receive me. Selah.

16Fear not, when one maketh wealth, When the honour of his house is abundant,

17For at his death he receiveth nothing, His honour goeth not down after him.

18For his soul in his life he blesseth, (And they praise thee when thou dost well for thyself.)

19It cometh to the generation of his fathers, For ever they see not the light.

20Man in honour, who understandest not, Hath been like the beasts, they have been cut off!