Psalm 49-50

Contemporary English Version

⁵ Why should I be afraid
    in times of trouble,
when I am surrounded
    by vicious enemies?
⁶ They trust in their riches
and brag about
    all their wealth.
⁷ You cannot buy back your life
    or pay off God!
⁸ It costs far too much
    to buy back your life.
You can never pay God enough
⁹ to stay alive forever
    and safe from death.

^10 (A) We see that wise people die,
    and so do stupid fools.
Then their money is left
    for someone else.
¹¹ The grave^[a] will be their home
    forever and ever,
although they once had land
    of their own.
¹² Our human glory disappears,
    and, like animals, we die.

¹³ Here is what happens to fools
and to those who trust
    the words of fools:^[b]
14 They are like sheep
with death as their shepherd,
    leading them to the grave.
In the morning God's people
    will walk all over them,^[c]
as their bodies lie rotting
    in their home, the grave.
¹⁵ But God will rescue me
    from the power of death.

¹⁶ Don't let it bother you
when others get rich
    and live in luxury.
¹⁷ Soon they will die
and all their wealth
    will be left behind.

¹⁸ We humans are praised
    when we do well,
and all of us are glad
    to be alive.
¹⁹ But we each will go down
    to our ancestors,
never again to see
    the light of day.
²⁰ Our human glory disappears,
    and, like animals, we die.

³ Our God approaches,
    but not silently;
a flaming fire comes first,
    and a storm surrounds him.
⁴ God comes to judge his people.
He shouts to the heavens
    and to the earth,
⁵ “Call my followers together!
They offered me a sacrifice,
    and we made an agreement.”

⁶ The heavens announce,
“God is the judge,
    and he is always honest.”

⁷ My people, I am God!
    Israel, I am your God.
Listen to my charges
    against you.
⁸ Although you offer sacrifices
    and always bring gifts,
⁹ I won't accept your offerings
    of bulls and goats.

¹⁰ Every animal in the forest
    belongs to me,
and so do the cattle
    on a thousand hills.
¹¹ I know all the birds
    in the mountains,
and every wild creature
    is in my care.

¹² If I were hungry,
    I wouldn't tell you,
because I own the world
    and everything in it.
¹³ I don't eat the meat of bulls
    or drink the blood of goats.
¹⁴ I am God Most High!
    The only sacrifice I want
is for you to be thankful
    and to keep your word.
¹⁵ Pray to me in time of trouble.
I will rescue you,
    and you will honor me.

¹⁶ But to the wicked I say:
    “You don't have the right
to mention my laws or claim
    to keep our agreement!
¹⁷ You refused correction
    and rejected my commands.
¹⁸ You made friends
    with every crook you met,
and you liked people who break
    their wedding vows.
¹⁹ You talked only about violence
    and told nothing but lies;
²⁰ you sat around gossiping,
ruining the reputation
    of your own relatives.”

²¹ When you did all this,
I didn't say a word,
    and you thought,
“God is just like us!”
    But now I will accuse you.
²² You have ignored me!
    So pay close attention
or I will tear you apart,
    and no one can help you.

²³ The sacrifice that honors me
    is a thankful heart.
Obey me,^[d] and I, your God,
    will show my power to save.