Psalms 49
49
Psalm 49
For the choir director; a psalm by Korah’s descendants.
1Listen to this, all you people.
Open your ears, all who live in the world—
2common people and important ones,
rich people and poor ones.
3My mouth will speak wise sayings,
the insights I have carefully considered.
4I will turn my attention to a proverb.
I will explain my riddle with the ⌞music of⌟ a lyre.
5Why should I be afraid in times of trouble,
when slanderers surround me with evil?
6They trust their riches
and brag about their abundant wealth.
7No one can ever buy back another person
or pay God a ransom for his life.
8The price to be paid for his soul is too costly.
He must always give up
9in order to live forever and never see the pit.
10Indeed, one can see that wise people die,
that foolish and stupid people meet the same end.
They leave their riches to others.
11Although they named their lands after themselves,
their graves #49:11 Greek, Syriac, Targum; Masoretic Text “their insides.” have become their homes for ages to come,
their dwelling places throughout every generation.
12But mortals will not continue here with what they treasure.
They are like animals that die.
13This is the final outcome for fools and their followers
who are delighted by what they say: Selah
14Like sheep, they are driven to hell
with death as their shepherd.
(Decent people will rule them in the morning.)
Their forms will decay in the grave,
far away from their comfortable homes.
15But God will buy me back from the power of hell
because he will take me. Selah
16Do not be afraid when someone becomes rich,
when the greatness of his house increases.
17He will not take anything with him when he dies.
His greatness cannot follow him.
18Even though he blesses himself while he is alive
(and they praise you when you do well for yourself),
19he must join the generation of his ancestors,
who will never see light ⌞again⌟.
20Mortals, with what they treasure, still don’t have understanding.
They are like animals that die.
Currently Selected:
Psalms 49: GW
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Psalms 49
49
For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.
1Listen to this, all you people!
Pay attention, everyone in the world!
2High and low,
rich and poor—listen!
3For my words are wise,
and my thoughts are filled with insight.
4I listen carefully to many proverbs
and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp.
5Why should I fear when trouble comes,
when enemies surround me?
6They trust in their wealth
and boast of great riches.
7Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death#49:7 Some Hebrew manuscripts read no one can redeem the life of another.
by paying a ransom to God.
8Redemption does not come so easily,
for no one can ever pay enough
9to live forever
and never see the grave.
10Those who are wise must finally die,
just like the foolish and senseless,
leaving all their wealth behind.
11The grave#49:11 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads Their inward [thought]. is their eternal home,
where they will stay forever.
They may name their estates after themselves,
12but their fame will not last.
They will die, just like animals.
13This is the fate of fools,
though they are remembered as being wise.#49:13 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain. Interlude
14Like sheep, they are led to the grave,#49:14 Hebrew Sheol; also in 49:14b, 15.
where death will be their shepherd.
In the morning the godly will rule over them.
Their bodies will rot in the grave,
far from their grand estates.
15But as for me, God will redeem my life.
He will snatch me from the power of the grave. Interlude
16So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich
and their homes become ever more splendid.
17For when they die, they take nothing with them.
Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.
18In this life they consider themselves fortunate
and are applauded for their success.
19But they will die like all before them
and never again see the light of day.
20People who boast of their wealth don’t understand;
they will die, just like animals.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
For more information about the NLT: