Psalms 49

¹ For the leader. A psalm of the Korahites.

² Hear this, all you peoples! Give ear, all who inhabit the world,

³ You of lowly birth or high estate, rich and poor alike.

⁴ My mouth shall speak wisdom, my heart shall offer insight.

⁵ I will turn my attention to a problem, expound my question to the music of a lyre.

⁶ Why should I fear in evil days, when my wicked pursuers ring me round,

⁷ Those who trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches?

⁸ One cannot redeem oneself, pay to God a ransom.

⁹ Too high the price to redeem a life; one would never have enough

¹⁰ To stay alive forever and never see the pit.

¹¹ Anyone can see that the wisest die, the fool and the senseless pass away too, and must leave their wealth to others.

¹² Tombs are their homes forever, their dwellings through all generations, though they gave their names to their lands.

¹³ For all their riches mortals do not abide; they perish like the beasts.

¹⁴ This is the destiny of those who trust in folly, the end of those so pleased with their wealth. Selah

¹⁵ Like sheep they are herded into Sheol, where death will be their shepherd. Straight to the grave they descend, where their form will waste away, Sheol will be their palace.

¹⁶ But God will redeem my life, will take me from the power of Sheol. Selah

¹⁷ Do not fear when others become rich, when the wealth of their houses grows great.

¹⁸ When they die they will take nothing with them, their wealth will not follow them down.

¹⁹ When living, they congratulate themselves and say: "All praise you, you do so well."

²⁰ But they will join the company of their forebears, never again to see the light.

²¹ For all their riches, if mortals do not have wisdom, they perish like the beasts.