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Psalms 49

Psalm title: To the chief Musician. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm.

  1. 1Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world:
  2. 2Both men of low and men of high degree, rich and poor alike.
  3. 3My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding:
  4. 4I will incline mine ear to a parable, I will open my riddle upon the harp.
  5. 5Wherefore should I fear in the days of adversity, [supplied: when] the iniquity of my supplanters encompasseth me? --
  6. 6They depend upon their wealth, and boast themselves in the abundance of their riches. ...
  7. 7None can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him,
  8. 8(For the redemption of their soul is costly, and must be given up for ever,)
  9. 9That he should still live perpetually, [supplied: and] not see corruption.
  10. 10For he seeth that wise men die; all alike, the fool and the brutish perish, and they leave their wealth to others.
  11. 11Their inward thought is, that their houses are for ever,their dwelling-places from generation to generation: they call the lands after their own names.
  12. 12Nevertheless, man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
  13. 13This their way is their folly, yet they that come after them delight in their sayings. Selah.
  14. 14Like sheep are they laid in Sheol: Death feedeth on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their comeliness shall be for Sheol to consume, that there be no habitation for them.
  15. 15But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol: for he will receive me. Selah.
  16. 16Be not afraid when a man becometh rich, when the glory of his house is increased:
  17. 17For when he dieth, he shall carry nothing away; his glory shall not descend after him.
  18. 18Though he blessed his soul in his lifetime, -- and men will praise thee when thou doest well to thyself, --
  19. 19It shall go to the generation of his fathers: they shall never see light.
  20. 20Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

Words in italics were supplied by the translators.

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