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49:1  For the music director, a psalm by the Korahites. Listen to this, all you nations! Pay attention, all you inhabitants of the world!
49:2  Pay attention, all you people, both rich and poor!
49:3  I will declare a wise saying; I will share my profound thoughts.
49:4  I will learn a song that imparts wisdom; I will then sing my insightful song to the accompaniment of a harp.
49:5  Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when the sinful deeds of deceptive men threaten to overwhelm me?
49:6  They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.
49:7  Certainly a man cannot rescue his brother; he cannot pay God an adequate ransom price
49:8  (the ransom price for a human life is too high, and people go to their final destiny),
49:9  so that he might continue to live forever and not experience death.
49:10  Surely one sees that even wise people die; fools and spiritually insensitive people all pass away and leave their wealth to others.
49:11  Their grave becomes their permanent residence, their eternal dwelling place. They name their lands after themselves,
49:12  but, despite their wealth, people do not last, they are like animals that perish.
49:13  This is the destiny of fools, and of those who approve of their philosophy. (Selah)
49:14  They will travel to Sheol like sheep, with death as their shepherd. The godly will rule over them when the day of vindication dawns; Sheol will consume their bodies and they will no longer live in impressive houses.
49:15  But God will rescue my life from the power of Sheol; certainly he will pull me to safety. (Selah)
49:16  Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich and his wealth multiplies!
49:17  For he will take nothing with him when he dies; his wealth will not follow him down into the grave.
49:18  He pronounces this blessing on himself while he is alive: "May men praise you, for you have done well!"
49:19  But he will join his ancestors; they will never again see the light of day.
49:20  Wealthy people do not understand; they are like animals that perish.