Psalm 49:1–9

1 Hear this, all you peoples;

listen, all who inhabit the world,h

2 both low and high,

rich and poor together.i

3 My mouth speaks wisdom;

my heart’s meditation brings understanding.j

4 I turn my ear to a proverb;

I explain my riddle with a lyre.k

5 Why should I fear in times of trouble?

The iniquity of my foes surrounds me.l

6 They trust in their wealth

and boast of their abundant riches.m

7 Yet these cannot redeem a personA

or pay his ransom to Godn—

8 since the price of redeeming him is too costly,

one should forever stop tryingB,o—

9 so that he may live forever

and not see the Pit.p