Psalm 49
1 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the
world:
2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart
shall be of understanding.
4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying
upon the harp.
5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of
my heels shall compass me about?
6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the
multitude of their riches;
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God
a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for
ever:)
9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the
brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for
ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after
their own names.
12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the
beasts that perish.
13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their
sayings. Selah.
14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them;
and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty
shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he
shall receive me. Selah.
16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his
house is increased;
17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall
not descend after him.
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise
thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never
see light.
20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts
that perish.
