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. |