[1] To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. [2] Hear this, all
peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, [3] both low and high,
rich and poor together! [4] My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of
my heart shall be understanding. [5] I will incline my ear to a proverb; I
will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. [6] Why should I fear in
times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, [7] men
who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? [8]
Truly no man can ransom himself, or give to God the price of his life, [9]
for the ransom of his life is costly, and can never suffice, [10] that he
should continue to live on for ever, and never see the Pit. [11] Yea, he
shall see that even the wise die, the fool and the stupid alike must perish
and leave their wealth to others. [12] Their graves are their homes for
ever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands
their own. [13] Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that
perish. [14] This is the fate of those who have foolish confidence, the end
of those who are pleased with their portion. [Selah] [15] Like sheep they
are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the
grave they descend, and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their
home. [16] But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will
receive me. [Selah] [17] Be not afraid when one becomes rich, when the
glory of his house increases. [18] For when he dies he will carry nothing
away; his glory will not go down after him. [19] Though, while he lives, he
counts himself happy, and though a man gets praise when he does well for
himself, [20] he will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never
more see the light. [ (Psalms 49:21) Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is
like the beasts that perish. ]