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Psalms 49 (AMP)

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¹ To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. HEAR THIS, all you peoples; give ear, all you inhabitants of the world, ² Both low and high, rich and poor together: ³ My mouth shall speak wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. ⁴ I will submit and consent to a parable or proverb; to the music of a lyre I will unfold my riddle (my problem). ⁵ Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of those who would supplant me surrounds me on every side, ⁶ Even of those who trust in and lean on their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? ⁷ None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him-- ⁸ For the ransom of a life is too costly, and can never suffice-- ⁹ So that he should live on forever and never see the pit (the grave) and corruption. ¹⁰ For he sees that even wise men die; the fool and the stupid alike perish and leave their wealth to others. ¹¹ Their inward thought is that their houses will continue forever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands their own and after their own names. ¹² But man, with all his honor and pomp, does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. ¹³ This is the fate of those who are foolishly confident, yet after them men approve their sayings. Selah ! ¹⁴ Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol (the place of the dead); death shall be their shepherd. And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their form and beauty shall be consumed, for Sheol shall be their dwelling. ¹⁵ But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead); for He will receive me. Selah ! ¹⁶ Be not afraid when one is made rich, when the wealth and glory of his house are increased; ¹⁷ For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him. ¹⁸ Though while he lives he counts himself happy and prosperous, and though a man gets praise when he does well , ¹⁹ He will go to the generation of his fathers, who will nevermore see the light. ²⁰ A man who is held in honor and understands not is like the beasts that perish.