49:1 For the Leader; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.

49:2 Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world,

49:3 Both low and high, rich and poor together.

49:4 My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

49:5 I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

49:6 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my supplanters compasseth me about,

49:7 Of them that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches?

49:8 No man can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him--

49:9 For too costly is the redemption of their soul, and must be let alone for ever--

49:10 That he should still live alway, that he should not see the pit.

49:11 For he seeth that wise men die, the fool and the brutish together perish, and leave their wealth to others.

49:12 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling-places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

49:13 But man abideth not in honour; he is like the beasts that perish.

49:14 This is the way of them that are foolish, and of those who after them approve their sayings. Selah

49:15 Like sheep they are appointed for the nether-world; death shall be their shepherd; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their form shall be for the nether-world to wear away, that there be no habitation for it.

49:16 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the nether-world; for He shall receive me. Selah

49:17 Be not thou afraid when one waxeth rich, when the wealth of his house is increased;

49:18 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; his wealth shall not descend after him.

49:19 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: 'Men will praise thee, when thou shalt do well to thyself';

49:20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see the light.

49:21 Man that is in honour understandeth not; he is like the beasts that perish.