49:001

For the Leader; a Psalm of the sons of Korah

49:002

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

49:003

Both low and high, rich and poor together

49:004

My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be understanding

49:005

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

49:006

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

49:007

Of them that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches

49:008

No man can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to G-d a ransom for him-

49:009

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

49:010

That he should still live alway, that he should not see the pit

49:011

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

49:012

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

49:013

But man abideth not in honour; he is like the beasts that perish

49:014

This is the way of them that are foolish, and of those who after them approve their sayings. Sela

49:015

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

49:016

But G-d will redeem my soul from the power of the nether-world; for He shall receive me. Sela

49:017

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

49:018

For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; his wealth shall not descend after him

49:019

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

49:020

It shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see the light

49:021

Man that is in honour understandeth not; he is like the beasts that perish