Psalms 49:1-13 ▼

1 Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, all you who live in the world,

2 both average people and those of means, the rich and the poor together.

3 My mouth will speak wisely, and I will understand what I think about.

4 I will focus my attention on a proverb; I will use the harp to expound my riddle.

5 Why should I be afraid when evil days come my way, when the wickedness of those who deceive me surrounds me—

6 those who put confidence in their wealth and boast about their great riches?

7 No man can redeem the life of another, nor can he give to God a sufficient payment for him—

8 for it would cost too much to redeem his life, and the payments would go on forever—

9 that he should go on living and not see corruption.

10 Indeed, he will see wise people die; the stupid and the senseless will meet their doom and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their inner thoughts are on their homes forever; their dwellings from generation to generation. They even name their lands after themselves.

12 But humanity cannot last, despite its conceit; it will pass away just like the animals.

13 This is the fate of those who are foolish and of those who correct their words after they speak. Interlude