Psalms 49:1-13 ▼

1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye peoples; Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,

2 Both low and high, Rich and poor together.

3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, When iniquity at my heels compasseth me about?

6 They that trust in their wealth, And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him;

8 (For the redemption of their life is costly, And it faileth for ever),

9 That he should still live alway, That he should not see corruption.

10 For he shall see it. Wise men die; The fool and the brutish alike perish, And leave their wealth to others.

11 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.

12 But man being in honor abideth not: He is like the beasts that perish.

13 This their way is their folly: Yet after them men approve their sayings. [Selah