Psalm 49

1. 1

   Hear this, all you peoples; hearken, all you who dwell in the world, *
   you of high degree and low, rich and poor together.

2. 2

   My mouth shall speak of wisdom, *
   and my heart shall meditate on understanding.

3. 3

   I will incline my ear to a proverb *
   and set forth my riddle upon the harp.

4. 4

   Why should I be afraid in evil days, *
   when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me,

5. 5

   The wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, *
   and boast of their great riches?

6. 6

   We can never ransom ourselves, *
   or deliver to God the price of our life;

7. 7

   For the ransom of our life is so great, *
   that we should never have enough to pay it,

8. 8

   In order to live for ever and ever, *
   and never see the grave.

9. 9

   For we see that the wise die also; like the dull and stupid they perish *
   and leave their wealth to those who come after them.

10. 10

    Their graves shall be their homes for ever, their dwelling places from generation to generation, *
    though they call the lands after their own names.

11. 11

    Even though honored, they cannot live for ever; *
    they are like the beasts that perish.

12. 12

    Such is the way of those who foolishly trust in themselves, *
    and the end of those who delight in their own words.

13. 13

    Like a flock of sheep they are destined to die; Death is their shepherd; *
    they go down straightway to the grave.

14. 14

    Their form shall waste away, *
    and the land of the dead shall be their home.

15. 15

    But God will ransom my life; *
    he will snatch me from the grasp of death.

16. 16

    Do not be envious when some become rich, *
    or when the grandeur of their house increases;

17. 17

    For they will carry nothing away at their death, *
    nor will their grandeur follow them.

18. 18

    Though they thought highly of themselves while they lived, *
    and were praised for their success,

19. 19

    They shall join the company of their forebears, *
    who will never see the light again.

20. 20

    Those who are honored, but have no understanding, *
    are like the beasts that perish.

All 150 psalms