Psalms 49



49

To the director.[265] A song from the Korah family.

<1> Listen to this, all you nations.

Pay attention, all you people on earth.

<2> Everyone, rich and poor, listen to me.

<3> I have some very wise words for you.

My thoughts will give you understanding.

<4> I myself listened to these sayings.

And now, with my harp, I will sing and make the hidden meaning clear.

<5> Why should I be afraid

when trouble comes?

There is no need to fear

when wicked enemies surround me.

<6> Some people think their wealth

will protect them, but they are fools.

<7> No human friends can save you,

and they cannot bribe[266] God.

<8> No one will ever get enough money

to buy their own life.

<9> No one will ever have enough

to buy the right to live forever

and keep their body out of the grave.

<10> Look, the wise die

the same as fools and stupid people.[267]

They die and leave their wealth to others.

<11> The grave will be their new home forever.

And how much land they owned

will not make any difference.

<12> People might be wealthy,

but they cannot stay here forever.

They will die like the animals.

<13> That is what happens to such people.

That is the fate of those who follow their desires.

Selah[268]

<14> They are just like sheep,

but the grave will be their pen.

Death will be their shepherd.

Then on that morning

the good people will be the winners,

while the bodies of those proud people slowly rot in the grave,

far away from their fancy houses.

<15> But God will pay the price

and save my life.[269]

He will save me from the power of the grave

when he takes me to be with him.

Selah

<16> Don't be afraid of people

just because they are rich.

Don't be afraid of people

just because they have big, fancy houses.

<17> They will not take anything with them

when they die.

They will not take their wealth with them.

<18> A wealthy man might congratulate himself on how well he has done in life.

And other people might praise him.

<19> But the time will come for him to die

and go to his ancestors.

And he will never again see the light of day.

<20> People might be wealthy

and still not understand that they will die like the animals.

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