Psalm 49

Psalm 49 ¹ For the director of music. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. Hear this, all you nations. Listen, all you who live in this world.

² Listen, people, whether you are ordinary or important. Listen, people, whether you are rich or poor.

³ My mouth will speak wise words. What I think about in my heart will give you understanding.

⁴ I will pay attention to a proverb. I will explain my riddle as I play the harp.

⁵ Why should I be afraid when trouble comes? Why should I fear when sinners are all around me? They are the kind of people who want to take advantage of me.

⁶ They trust in their wealth. They brag about how rich they are.

⁷ No one can pay for the life of anyone else. No one can give God what that would cost.

⁸ The price for a life is very high. No payment is ever enough.

⁹ No one can pay enough to live forever and not rot in the grave.

¹⁰ Everyone can see that even wise people die. People who are foolish and who have no sense also pass away. All of them leave their wealth to others.

¹¹ Their tombs will remain their houses forever. Their graves will be their homes for all time to come. Naming lands after themselves won’t help either.

¹² Even though people may be very rich, they don’t live on and on. They are like the animals. They die.

¹³ That’s what happens to those who trust in themselves. It also happens to their followers, who agree with what they say.

¹⁴ They are like sheep and will end up in the grave. Death will be their shepherd. But when honest people come to power, a new day will dawn. The bodies of sinners will waste away in the grave. They will end up far away from their princely houses.

¹⁵ But God will save me from the place of the dead. He will certainly take me to himself.

¹⁶ Don’t get too upset when other people become rich. Don’t be troubled when they become more and more wealthy.

¹⁷ They won’t take anything with them when they die. Their riches won’t go down to the grave with them.

¹⁸ While they lived, they believed they were blessed. People praised them when things were going well for them.

¹⁹ But they will die, like their people of long ago. They will never again see the light of life. ²⁰ People who have riches but don’t understand are like the animals. They die.