Psalm 49

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

⁵ Why should I fear in times of trouble,
    when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,^(D)
6 those who trust in their wealth
    and boast of the abundance of their riches?^(E)
7 Truly, no ransom avails for one’s life;^[a]
    there is no price one can give to God for it.^(F)
8 For the ransom of life is costly
    and can never suffice,^(G)
9 that one should live on forever
    and never see the Pit.^(H)

¹⁰ When we look at the wise, they die;
    fool and dolt perish together
    and leave their wealth to others.^(I)
11 Their graves^[b] are their homes forever,
    their dwelling places to all generations,
    though they named lands their own.^(J)
12 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;
    they are like the animals that perish.^(K)

¹³ Such is the fate of the foolhardy,
    the end of those^[c] who are pleased with their lot. Selah^(L)
14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
    Death shall be their shepherd;
straight to the grave they descend,^[d]
    and their form shall waste away;
    Sheol shall be their home.^[e](M)
15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
    for he will receive me. Selah^(N)

¹⁶ Do not be afraid when some become rich,
    when the wealth of their houses increases.^(O)
17 For when they die they will carry nothing away;
    their wealth will not go down after them.^(P)
18 Though in their lifetime they count themselves happy
    —for you are praised when you do well for yourself—^(Q)
19 they^[f] will go to the company of their ancestors,
    who will never again see the light.^(R)
20 Mortals cannot abide in their pomp;
    they are like the animals that perish.^(S)