Psalms 49
49
Psalm 49#In Hebrew texts 49:1-20 is numbered 49:2-21.
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1Hear this, all you peoples;
listen, all who live in this world,
2both low and high,
rich and poor alike:
3My mouth will speak words of wisdom;
the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.
4I will turn my ear to a proverb;
with the harp I will expound my riddle:
5Why should I fear when evil days come,
when wicked deceivers surround me –
6those who trust in their wealth
and boast of their great riches?
7No-one can redeem the life of another
or give to God a ransom for them –
8the ransom for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough –
9so that they should live on for ever
and not see decay.
10For all can see that the wise die,
that the foolish and the senseless also perish,
leaving their wealth to others.
11Their tombs will remain their houses#49:11 Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew In their thoughts their houses will remain for ever,
their dwellings for endless generations,
though they had#49:11 Or generations, / for they have named lands after themselves.
12People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
they are like the beasts that perish.
13This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.#49:13 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 15.
14They are like sheep and are destined to die;
death will be their shepherd
(but the upright will prevail over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave,
far from their princely mansions.
15But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;
he will surely take me to himself.
16Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendour of their houses increases;
17for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendour will not descend with them.
18Though while they live they count themselves blessed –
and people praise you when you prosper –
19they will join those who have gone before them,
who will never again see the light of life.
20People who have wealth but lack understanding
are like the beasts that perish.
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Psalms 49: NIVUK
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The Holy Bible, New International Version® (Anglicised), NIV®
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Psalms 49
49
(A psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.)
Don't Depend on Wealth
1Everyone on this earth,
now listen to what I say!
2Listen, no matter who you are,
rich or poor.
3I speak words of wisdom,
and my thoughts make sense.
4I have in mind a mystery
that I will explain
while playing my harp.
5Why should I be afraid
in times of trouble,
when I am surrounded
by vicious enemies?
6They trust in their riches
and brag about
all their wealth.
7You cannot buy back your life
or pay off God!
8It costs far too much
to buy back your life.
You can never pay God enough
9to stay alive forever
and safe from death.
10 #
Si 11.19. We see that wise people die,
and so do stupid fools.
Then their money is left
for someone else.
11The grave#49.11 The grave: Some ancient translations; Hebrew “Their inward thoughts.” will be their home
forever and ever,
although they once had land
of their own.
12Our human glory disappears,
and, like animals, we die.
13Here is what happens to fools
and to those who trust
the words of fools:#49.13 and to those … fools: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
14They are like sheep
with death as their shepherd,
leading them to the grave.
In the morning God's people
will walk all over them,#49.14 as their shepherd … over them: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
as their bodies lie rotting
in their home, the grave.
15But God will rescue me
from the power of death.
16Don't let it bother you
when others get rich
and live in luxury.
17Soon they will die
and all their wealth
will be left behind.
18We humans are praised
when we do well,
and all of us are glad
to be alive.
19But we each will go down
to our ancestors,
never again to see
the light of day.
20Our human glory disappears,
and, like animals, we die.
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