Psalms 49:1-9 ▼

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.