Psalms 49:1-13 ▼

1 [For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.] Hear this, all you peoples. Listen, all you inhabitants of the world,

2 both low and high, rich and poor together.

3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart shall utter understanding.

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

5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of those who deceive me surrounds me?

6 They trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches.

7 Truly these cannot redeem a person, nor give to God a ransom for him.

8 For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is ever enough,

9 that he should live on forever, that he should not see corruption.

10 For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless perish, and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their tombs are their homes forever, and their dwelling places to all generations. They name their lands after themselves.

12 But man, despite his riches, doesn't endure. He is like the animals that perish.

13 This is the destiny of those who are foolish, and of those who approve their sayings. Selah.