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.
Currently Selected:
Psalms 49: CEVDCI
Highlight
Share
Copy
![None](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2F58%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fweb-assets.youversion.com%2Fapp-icons%2Fen.png&w=128&q=75)
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Psalms 49
49
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1Hear this, all peoples!
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2both low and high,
rich and poor together!
3My mouth shall speak wisdom;
the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
4I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.
5Why should I fear in times of trouble,
when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,
6men who trust in their wealth
and boast of the abundance of their riches?
7Truly no man can ransom himself,#49.7 Another reading is no man can ransom his brother
or give to God the price of his life,
8for the ransom of his#49.8 Gk: Heb their life is costly,
and can never suffice,
9that he should continue to live on for ever,
and never see the Pit.
10Yea, he shall see that even the wise die,
the fool and the stupid alike must perish
and leave their wealth to others.
11Their graves#49.11 Gk Syr Compare Tg: Heb their inward (thought) are their homes for ever,
their dwelling places to all generations,
though they named lands their own.
12Man cannot abide in his pomp,
he is like the beasts that perish.
13This is the fate of those who have foolish confidence,
the end of those#49.13 Tg: Heb after them who are pleased with their portion. Selah
14Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
Death shall be their shepherd;
straight to the grave they descend,#49.14 Cn: Heb the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning
and their form shall waste away;
Sheol shall be their home.#49.14 Heb uncertain
15But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
for he will receive me. Selah
16Be not afraid when one becomes rich,
when the glory#49.16 Or wealth of his house increases.
17For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
his glory#49.17 Or wealth will not go down after him.
18Though, while he lives, he counts himself happy,
and though a man gets praise when he does well for himself,
19he will go to the generation of his fathers,
who will never more see the light.
20Man cannot abide in his pomp,
he is like the beasts that perish.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
![None](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimageproxy.youversionapi.com%2F58%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Fweb-assets.youversion.com%2Fapp-icons%2Fen.png&w=128&q=75)
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America