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Psalm chapter 49

English Standard Version

1 Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor together! 3My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, 6those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, 8for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, 9that he should live on forever and never see the pit. 10For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. 11Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. 12Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. 13This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah 14Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. 15But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah 16Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. 18For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed — and though you get praise when you do well for yourself — 19his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. 20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
New International Version

New American Standard Bible

1Hear this, all peoples; Listen, all inhabitants of the world, 2Both low and high, Rich and poor together. 3My mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be understanding. 4I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle on the harp. 5Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the injustice of those who betray me surrounds me, 6Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches? 7No one can by any means redeem another Or give God a ransom for him— 8For the redemption of his soul is priceless, And he should cease imagining forever— 9That he might live on eternally, That he might not undergo decay. 10For he sees that even wise people die; The foolish and the stupid alike perish And leave their wealth to others. 11Their inner thought is that their houses are forever And their dwelling places to all generations; They have named their lands after their own names. 12But man in his splendor will not endure; He is like the animals that perish. 13This is the way of those who are foolish, And of those after them who approve their words. Selah 14Like sheep they sink down to Sheol; Death will be their shepherd; And the upright will rule over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol to consume So that they have no lofty home. 15But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah 16Do not be afraid when a person becomes rich, When the splendor of his house is increased; 17For when he dies, he will take nothing with him; His wealth will not descend after him. 18Though while he lives he congratulates himself— And though people praise you when you do well for yourself— 19 He will go to the generation of his fathers; They will never see the light. 20Mankind in its splendor, yet without understanding, Is like the animals that perish.
Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

King James Version

New King James Version

What does Psalm chapter 49 mean?

The subject of this psalm is depicted as a "riddle." In this case, that means something hard to understand or a frustration which requires wisdom to untangle (Proverbs 1:6–7). According to the introduction, this message is valuable for all people. That includes those who are rich or poor, powerful or weak (Psalm 49:1–4).

The mystery in question is how to react to people who are both wicked and rich. Some appear to live lives of comfort and prestige, though their hearts are opposed to God. Meanwhile, godly people often suffer. This is a topic addressed in other psalms (Psalm 73:2–3) and proverbs (Proverbs 11:4; 22:2). This can be discouraging to those who faithfully follow the Lord. However, those who reject God can only have temporary, false security. Money and prestige do not buy a pardon from sin. Eventually, everyone dies, and the rich will leave their money behind for others. Only the God-fearing person has hope in eternity (Psalm 49:5–12).

Those who trust in wealth, instead of God, have a final destiny of death. The psalm uses the term Sheol several times, referring vaguely to the grave or state of being dead. Those who honor God shouldn't be jealous of prosperous-but-ungodly people. Just as the poor, those rich persons will one day face God in judgment. No matter how wealthy a man is, he cannot avoid death any more than can the lowliest animal (Psalm 49:13–20).
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