Psalms 49

1Listen to this, all you nations. Pay attention, all you people on earth.

2Everyone, the humble and those of exalted rank, rich and poor people.

3I have some very wise words for you. My thoughts will give you understanding.

4I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle on the harp.

5I will not become afraid when things go wrong or when sinful people stand around me.

6They think their wealth will protect them. They brag about how rich they are.

7No one can save the life of another person, and no one can give to God the price of his life.

8For it would cost too much to redeem his life, and the payments would go on forever.

9So that he may live forever and not see the grave.

10Anyone can see that wise people die. Foolish and ignorant people also die, and they leave their things to another.

11But their inward thought is that their houses will continue forever, and their living places passed down to all generations. They name their lands after themselves.

12A man’s fame will not last. He will die, just like the animals.

13This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Pulse and Think

14Like sheep, they are led to the grave, where death will be their shepherd. In the morning the godly will rule over them. their bodies quickly decay in the grave far from their homes.

15But God will pay the price to save me from the grave. He will take me to be with him. Pulse and Think

16Don’t be afraid of people just because they are rich. Don’t be afraid of people just because they have big, fancy houses.

17Because when he dies, he will not be able to take anything with him. His honor and praise will not follow him.

18Yes, people said they were blessed when they were alive and other people might praise him.

19But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day.