Psalms 49:5-15 - Compare All Versions

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Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them— the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough— so that they should live on forever and not see decay. For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They 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. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.

Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit. For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah

Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me? They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave. Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind. The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves, but their fame will not last. They will die, just like animals. This is the fate of fools, though they are remembered as being wise. Interlude Like sheep, they are led to the grave, 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. But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. Interlude

Why should I fear in times of trouble? The iniquity of my foes surrounds me.  They trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches.  Yet these cannot redeem a person  or pay his ransom to God   — since the price of redeeming him is too costly, one should forever stop trying  ,  — so that he may live forever and not see the Pit.  For one can see that the wise die; the foolish and stupid also pass away.  Then they leave their wealth to others.  Their graves are their permanent homes,  their dwellings from generation to generation, though they have named estates after themselves.  But despite his assets,  mankind will not last; he is like the animals that perish.  This is the way of those who are arrogant, and of their followers, who approve of their words.  , Selah Like sheep they are headed for Sheol; Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule over them in the morning,  and their form will waste away in Sheol,  far from their lofty abode.  But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol, for he will take me.  Selah

Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about? They that trust in their wealth, And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, And it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, And not see corruption. For he seeth that wise men die, Likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. 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. Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: He is like the beasts that perish. This their way is their folly: Yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. 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. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: For he shall receive me. Selah.

Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me? Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches, None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him— For the redemption of their souls is costly, And it shall cease forever— That he should continue to live eternally, And not see the Pit. For he sees wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, And leave their wealth to others. Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, Their dwelling places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts that perish. This is the way of those who are foolish, And of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah Like sheep they are laid in the grave; Death shall feed on them; The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah

So why should I fear in bad times, hemmed in by enemy malice, Shoved around by bullies, demeaned by the arrogant rich? Really! There’s no such thing as self-rescue, pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. The cost of rescue is beyond our means, and even then it doesn’t guarantee Life forever, or insurance against the Black Hole. Anyone can see that the brightest and best die, wiped out right along with fools and idiots. They leave all their prowess behind, move into their new home, The Coffin, The cemetery their permanent address. And to think they named counties after themselves! We aren’t immortal. We don’t last long. Like our dogs, we age and weaken. And die. This is what happens to those who live for the moment, who only look out for themselves: Death herds them like sheep straight to hell; they disappear down the gullet of the grave; They waste away to nothing— nothing left but a marker in a cemetery. But me? God snatches me from the clutch of death, he reaches down and grabs me.

¶Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the injustice of those who betray me surrounds me, Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches? No one can by any means redeem another Or give God a ransom for him— For the redemption of his soul is priceless, And he should cease imagining forever— That he might live on eternally, That he might not undergo decay. ¶For he sees that even wise people die; The foolish and the stupid alike perish And leave their wealth to others. Their inner thought is that their houses are forever And their dwelling places to all generations; They have named their lands after their own names. But man in his splendor will not endure; He is like the animals that perish. ¶This is the way of those who are foolish, And of those after them who approve their words. Selah Like sheep they sink down to Sheol; Death will be their shepherd; And the upright will rule over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol to consume So that they have no lofty home. But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah

¶Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the wickedness of those who would betray me surrounds me [on every side], Even those who trust in and rely on their wealth And boast of the abundance of their riches? None of them can by any means redeem [either himself or] his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him— For the ransom of his soul is too costly, And he should cease trying forever— So that he should live on eternally, That he should never see the pit (grave) and undergo decay. ¶For he sees that even wise men die; The fool and the stupid alike perish And leave their wealth to others. [Eccl 2:12-16] Their inward thought is that their houses will continue forever, And their dwelling places to all generations; They have named their lands after their own names [ignoring God]. But man, with all his [self] honor and pomp, will not endure; He is like the beasts that perish. ¶This is the fate of those who are foolishly confident, And of those after them who approve [and are influenced by] their words. Selah. Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead); Death will be their shepherd; And the upright shall rule over them in the morning, And their form and beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, So that they have no dwelling [on earth]. But God will redeem my life from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah.

Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when the sinful deeds of deceptive men threaten to overwhelm me? They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches. Certainly a man cannot rescue his brother; he cannot pay God an adequate ransom price (the ransom price for a human life is too high, and people go to their final destiny), so that he might continue to live forever and not experience death. Surely one sees that even wise people die; fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away and leave their wealth to others. Their grave becomes their permanent residence, their eternal dwelling place. They name their lands after themselves, but, despite their wealth, people do not last, they are like animals that perish. This is the destiny of fools, and of those who approve of their philosophy. (Selah) They will travel to Sheol like sheep, with death as their shepherd. The godly will rule over them when the day of vindication dawns; Sheol will consume their bodies and they will no longer live in impressive houses. But God will rescue my life from the power of Sheol; certainly he will pull me to safety. (Selah)