Psalm 49:1-9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 49
The Folly of Trust in Riches
To the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.
1 Hear this, all you peoples;
give ear, all inhabitants of the world,(A)
2 both low and high,
rich and poor together.
3 My mouth shall speak wisdom;
the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.(B)
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will solve my riddle to the music of the harp.(C)
5 Why should I fear in times of trouble,
when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,(D)
6 those who trust in their wealth
and boast of the abundance of their riches?(E)
7 Truly, no ransom avails for one’s life;[a]
there is no price one can give to God for it.(F)
8 For the ransom of life is costly
and can never suffice,(G)
9 that one should live on forever
and never see the Pit.(H)
Footnotes
- 49.7 Or no one can ransom a brother
Psalm 49:16-20
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
16 Do not be afraid when some become rich,
when the wealth of their houses increases.(A)
17 For when they die they will carry nothing away;
their wealth will not go down after them.(B)
18 Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy
—for you are praised when you do well for yourself—(C)
19 they[a] will go to the company of their ancestors,
who will never again see the light.(D)
20 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;
they are like the animals that perish.(E)
Footnotes
- 49.19 Cn: Heb you
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.