Psalms 49:1-13 ▼

1 For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all peoples; Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

2 Both low and high, Rich and poor together.

3 My mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.

4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle on the harp.

5 Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me,

6 Even those who trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches?

7 No man can by any means redeem his brother Or give to God a ransom for him—

8 For the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever—

9 That he should live on eternally, That he should not undergo decay.

10 For he sees that even wise men die; The stupid and the senseless alike perish And leave their wealth to others.

11 Their inner thought is that their houses are forever And their dwelling places to all generations; They have called their lands after their own names.

12 But man in his pomp will not endure; He is like the beasts that perish.

13 This is the way of those who are foolish, And of those after them who approve their words. Selah.