49:1  To the Chief Musician. A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you people; give ear, all inhabitants of the world:

49:2  Both low and high, rich and poor together.

49:3  My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the thoughts of my heart shall be of understanding.

49:4  I will incline my ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon the lyre.

49:5  Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my supplanters surrounds me?

49:6  Those who trust in their wealth and in their many riches boast themselves.

49:7  No man can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—

49:8  For the redemption of their soul is costly, and no payment is ever enough.

49:9  That he should live forever and never see corruption,

49:10  For he sees wise men die; likewise the fool and the brutish person perish together, and leave their wealth to others.

49:11  Their inward thought is that their houses shall go on forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

49:12  Nevertheless man, though high in honor, does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.

49:13  This is the way of the foolish, and of their followers who delight in their sayings. Selah.

49:14  Like sheep they are appointed to the grave; death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have the rule over them in the morning; and their form shall decay in the grave far from their home.

49:15  But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He will receive me. Selah.

49:16  Be not afraid when one becomes rich, when the wealth of his house increases;

49:17  For when he dies he shall take nothing with him; his wealth shall not descend after him.

49:18  Though during his life he blessed his soul; yea, men will praise you when you do well to yourself.

49:19  He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

49:20  A man in honor, but without understanding, is like the beasts; they shall perish.