RSV Psalms 49 Chapter
49:1
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
49:2
both low and high, rich and poor together!
49:3
My mouth shall speak wisdom;the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
49:4
I will incline my ear to a proverb;I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.
49:5
Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,
49:6
men who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?
49:7
Truly no man can ransom himself, or give to God the price of his life,
49:8
for the ransom of his life is costly, and can never suffice,
49:9
that he should continue to live on for ever, and never see the Pit.
49:10
Yea, he shall see that even the wise die, the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.
49:11
Their graves are their homes for ever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own.
49:12
Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish.
49:13
This is the fate of those who have foolish confidence, the end of those who are pleased with their portion. [Selah]
49:14
Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;Death shall be their shepherd;straight to the grave they descend, and their form shall waste away;Sheol shall be their home.
49:15
But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. [Selah]
49:16
Be not afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases.
49:17
For when he dies he will carry nothing away;his glory will not go down after him.
49:18
Though, while he lives, he counts himself happy, and though a man gets praise when he does well for himself,
49:19
he will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never more see the light.
49:20
Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish.