Psalm 49:1-9

New International Version

Psalm 49^[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

¹Hear^(A) this, all you peoples;^(B)
    listen, all who live in this world,^(C)
²both low and high,^(D)
    rich and poor alike:
³My mouth will speak words of wisdom;^(E)
    the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.^(F)
⁴I will turn my ear to a proverb;^(G)
    with the harp^(H) I will expound my riddle:^(I)

⁵Why should I fear^(J) when evil days come,
    when wicked deceivers surround me—
⁶those who trust in their wealth^(K)
    and boast^(L) of their great riches?^(M)
⁷No one can redeem the life of another
    or give to God a ransom for them—
⁸the ransom^(N) for a life is costly,
    no payment is ever enough—^(O)
⁹so that they should live on^(P) forever
    and not see decay.^(Q)

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Footnotes

Psalm 49:1 In Hebrew texts 49:1-20 is numbered 49:2-21.

Psalm 49:15-19

New International Version

¹⁵But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;^(A)
    he will surely take me to himself.^(B)
¹⁶Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
    when the splendor of their houses increases;
¹⁷for they will take nothing^(C) with them when they die,
    their splendor will not descend with them.^(D)
¹⁸Though while they live they count themselves blessed—^(E)
    and people praise you when you prosper—
¹⁹they will join those who have gone before them,^(F)
    who will never again see the light^(G) of life.