Psalm 4930

For the music director, a psalm by the Korahites.

49:1 Listen to this, all you nations!

Pay attention, all you inhabitants of the world!1

49:2 Pay attention, all you people,2

both rich and poor!

49:3 I will declare a wise saying;3

I will share my profound thoughts.4

49:4 I will learn a song that imparts wisdom;

I will then sing my insightful song to the accompaniment of a harp.5

49:5 Why should I be afraid in times of trouble,6

when the sinful deeds of deceptive men threaten to overwhelm me?7

49:6 They trust8 in their wealth

and boast9 in their great riches.

49:7 Certainly a man cannot rescue his brother;10

he cannot pay God an adequate ransom price11

49:8 (the ransom price for a human life12 is too high,

and people go to their final destiny),13

49:9 so that he might continue to live14 forever

and not experience death.15

49:10 Surely16 one sees17 that even wise people die;18

fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away19

and leave their wealth to others.20

49:11 Their grave becomes their permanent residence,

their eternal dwelling place.21

They name their lands after themselves,22

49:12 but, despite their wealth, people do not last,23

they are like animals24 that perish.25

49:13 This is the destiny of fools,26

and of those who approve of their philosophy.27

(Selah)

49:14 They will travel to Sheol like sheep,28

with death as their shepherd.29

The godly will rule30 over them when the day of vindication dawns;31

Sheol will consume their bodies and they will no longer live in impressive houses.32

49:15 But33 God will rescue34 my life35 from the power36 of Sheol;

certainly37 he will pull me to safety.38

(Selah)

49:16 Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich39

and his wealth multiplies!40

49:17 For he will take nothing with him when he dies;

his wealth will not follow him down into the grave.41

49:18 He pronounces this blessing on himself while he is alive:

“May men praise you, for you have done well!”

49:19 But he will join his ancestors;42

they will never again see the light of day.43

49:20 Wealthy people do not understand;44

they are like animals45 that perish.46