Psalm 49

1 Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, all you who live in the world,ISV — Psalm 49:1

2 both average people and those of means, ^{a49:2 Lit. both sons of Adam and sons of men} the rich and the poor together.ISV — Psalm 49:2

3 My mouth will speak wisely, and I will understand what I think about.ISV — Psalm 49:3

4 I will focus my attention on ^{b49:4 Lit. will incline my ear to} a proverb; I will use the harp to expound my riddle.ISV — Psalm 49:4

5 Why should I be afraid when evil days come my way, when the wickedness of those who deceive me surrounds me—ISV — Psalm 49:5

6 those who put confidence in their wealth and boast about their great riches?ISV — Psalm 49:6

7 No man can redeem the life of another, ^{c49:7 Lit. of a brother} nor can he give to God a sufficient payment for him—ISV — Psalm 49:7

8 for it would cost too much to redeem his life, and the payments would go on forever—ISV — Psalm 49:8

9 that he should go on living and not see corruption.ISV — Psalm 49:9

10 Indeed, he will see wise people die; the stupid and the senseless will meet their doom and leave their wealth to others.ISV — Psalm 49:10

11 Their inner thoughts are on ^{d49:11 So MT DSS 4QPs 4QPs; LXX reads Their graves are} their homes forever; their dwellings from generation to generation. They even name their lands after themselves.ISV — Psalm 49:11

12 But humanity cannot last, despite its conceit; ^{e49:12 So MT; DSS 4QPsSyr LXX read Humans, held in honor, had no understanding;} it will pass away just like the animals. ^{f49:12 So MT; LXX reads they resembled senseless animals, and became like them; DSS 4QPs read they are like animals that perish}ISV — Psalm 49:12

13 This is the fate of those who are foolish and of those who correct their words after they speak. InterludeISV — Psalm 49:13

14 Like sheep, they are destined for the realm of the dead, ^{g49:14 Lit. for Sheol; i.e. the realm of the dead} with death as their shepherd. The upright will have dominion over them in the morning; their strength will be consumed in the afterlife, ^{h49:14 Lit. in Sheol; i.e. the realm of the dead} so that they have no home.ISV — Psalm 49:14

15 God will truly redeem me from the power ^{i49:15 Lit. hand} of Sheol. ^{j49:15 i.e. the realm of the dead} He will surely receive me! InterludeISV — Psalm 49:15

16 Don’t be afraid when someone gets rich, when the glory of his household increases.ISV — Psalm 49:16

17 When he dies, he will not be able to take it all with him ^{k49:17 The Heb. lacks with him} — his possessions ^{l49:17 Or glory} will not follow him to the grave, ^{m49:17 The Heb. lacks to the grave}ISV — Psalm 49:17

18 although he considers himself blessed while he’s alive. Though people praise you for doing well,ISV — Psalm 49:18

19 you will end up like your ^{n49:19 Lit. his} ancestors’ generation, never again to see the light of day!ISV — Psalm 49:19

20 Humanity, despite its conceit, does not understand that it will perish, just like the animals.ISV — Psalm 49:20