Psalm 49 (GNV) · Opened

1To him that excelleth. A Psalme committed to the sonnes of Korah. Heare this, all ye people: giue eare, all ye that dwell in the world,For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all inhabitants of the world,

2As well lowe as hie, both rich and poore.both low and high, rich and poor alike.

3My mouth shall speake of wisdome, and the meditation of mine heart is of knowledge.My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.

4I will incline mine eare to a parable, and vtter my graue matter vpon the harpe.I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp:

5Wherefore should I feare in the euil dayes, when iniquitie shall compasse me about, as at mine heeles?Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?

6They trust in their goods, and boast them selues in the multitude of their riches.They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.

7Yet a man can by no meanes redeeme his brother: he can not giue his raunsome to God,No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.

8(So precious is the redemption of their soules, and the continuance for euer)For the redemption of his soul is costly, and never can payment suffice,

9That he may liue still for euer, and not see the graue.that he should live on forever and not see decay.

10For he seeth that wise men die, and also that the ignorant and foolish perish, and leaue their riches for others.For it is clear that wise men die, and the foolish and the senseless both perish and leave their wealth to others.

11Yet they thinke, their houses, and their habitations shall continue for euer, euen from generation to generation, and call their lands by their names.Their graves are their eternal homes—their dwellings for endless generations—even though their lands were their namesakes.

12But man shall not continue in honour: he is like the beastes that die.But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish.

13This their way vttereth their foolishnes: yet their posteritie delite in their talke. Selah.This is the fate of the foolish and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah

14Like sheepe they lie in graue: death deuoureth them, and the righteous shall haue domination ouer them in the morning: for their beautie shall consume, when they shall goe from their house to graue.Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode.

15But God shall deliuer my soule from the power of the graue: for he will receiue me. Selah.But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah

16Be not thou afrayd when one is made rich, and when the glory of his house is increased.Do not be afraid when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases.

17For he shall take nothing away when he dieth, neither shall his pompe descende after him.For when he dies, he will carry nothing away; his abundance will not follow him down.

18For while he liued, he reioyced himselfe: and men will prayse thee, when thou makest much of thy selfe.Though in his lifetime he blesses his soul—and men praise you when you prosper—

19He shall enter into the generation of his fathers, and they shall not liue for euer.he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day.

20Man is in honour, and vnderstandeth not: he is like to beasts that perish.A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

Psalm 49

The Evanescence of Wealth