Psalm 49–50

A Psalm of the Sons of Korah

^1–249Listen, everyone, listen—

earth-dwellers, don’t miss this.

All you haves

and have-nots,

All together now: listen.

^3–4I set plainspoken wisdom before you,

my heart-seasoned understandings of life.

I fine-tuned my ear to the sayings of the wise,

I solve life’s riddle with the help of a harp.

^5–6So why should I fear in bad times,

hemmed in by enemy malice,

Shoved around by bullies,

demeaned by the arrogant rich?

^7–9Really! There’s no such thing as self-rescue,

pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.

The cost of rescue is beyond our means,

and even then it doesn’t guarantee

Life forever, or insurance

against the Black Hole.

^10–11Anyone can see that the brightest and best die,

wiped out right along with fools and dunces.

They leave all their prowess behind,

move into their new home, The Coffin,

The cemetery their permanent address.

And to think they named counties after themselves!

¹²We aren’t immortal. We don’t last long.

Like our dogs, we age and weaken. And die.

^13–15This is what happens to those who live for the moment,

who only look out for themselves:

Death herds them like sheep straight to hell;

they disappear down the gullet of the grave;

They waste away to nothing—

nothing left but a marker in a cemetery.

But me? God snatches me from the clutch of death,

he reaches down and grabs me.

^16–19So don’t be impressed with those who get rich

and pile up fame and fortune.

They can’t take it with them;

fame and fortune all get left behind.

Just when they think they’ve arrived

and folks praise them because they’ve made good,

They enter the family burial plot

where they’ll never see sunshine again.

²⁰We aren’t immortal. We don’t last long.

Like our dogs, we age and weaken. And die.

An Asaph Psalm

^1–350The God of gods—it’s God!—speaks out, shouts, “Earth!”

welcomes the sun in the east,

farewells the disappearing sun in the west.

From the dazzle of Zion,

God blazes into view.

Our God makes his entrance,

he’s not shy in his coming.

Starbursts of fireworks precede him.

^4–5He summons heaven and earth as a jury,

he’s taking his people to court:

“Round up my saints who swore

on the Bible their loyalty to me.”

⁶The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court,

that here God is judge.

^7–15“Are you listening, dear people? I’m getting ready to speak;

Israel, I’m about ready to bring you to trial.

This is God, your God,

speaking to you.

I don’t find fault with your acts of worship,

the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.

But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,

or more and more goats from your herds?

Every creature in the forest is mine,

the wild animals on all the mountains.

I know every mountain bird by name;

the scampering field mice are my friends.

If I get hungry, do you think I’d tell you?

All creation and its bounty are mine.

Do you think I feast on venison?

or drink draughts of goats’ blood?

Spread for me a banquet of praise,

serve High God a feast of kept promises,

And call for help when you’re in trouble—

I’ll help you, and you’ll honor me.”

^16–21Next, God calls up the wicked:

“What are you up to, quoting my laws,

talking like we are good friends?

You never answer the door when I call;

you treat my words like garbage.

If you find a thief, you make him your buddy;

adulterers are your friends of choice.

Your mouth drools filth;

lying is a serious art form with you.

You stab your own brother in the back,

rip off your little sister.

I kept a quiet patience while you did these things;

you thought I went along with your game.

I’m calling you on the carpet, now,

laying your wickedness out in plain sight.

^22–23“Time’s up for playing fast and

loose with me.

I’m ready to pass sentence,

and there’s no help in sight!

It’s the praising life that honors me.

As soon as you set your foot on the Way,

I’ll show you my salvation.”