Psalm 49

For the music director, a psalm by the Korahites.

1Listen to this, all you nations!

Pay attention, all you inhabitants of the world!

2Pay attention, all you people,

both rich and poor!

3I will declare a wise saying;

I will share my profound thoughts.

4I will learn a song that imparts wisdom;

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

5Why should I be afraid in times of trouble,

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

6They trust in their wealth

and boast in their great riches.

7Certainly a man cannot rescue his brother;

he cannot pay God an adequate ransom price

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

and people go to their final destiny),

9so that he might continue to live forever

and not experience death.

10Surely one sees that even wise people die;

fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away

and leave their wealth to others.

11Their grave becomes their permanent residence,

their eternal dwelling place.

They name their lands after themselves,

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

they are like animals that perish.

13This is the destiny of fools,

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

14They 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.

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

certainly he will pull me to safety. (Selah)

16Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich

and his wealth multiplies!

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

his wealth will not follow him down into the grave.

18He pronounces this blessing on himself while he is alive:

“May men praise you, for you have done well!”

19But he will join his ancestors;

they will never again see the light of day.

20Wealthy people do not understand;

they are like animals that perish.