Psalm 49 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

Why Should I Fear in Times of Trouble?

1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, (Ps 42:1; Ps 78:1; Isa 1:2; Mic 1:2)

Ps 42:1Ps 78:1Isa 1:2Mic 1:2

2 both low and high, rich and poor together! (Ps 62:9) 3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. (Pr 1:20; Pr 9:1) 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. (Nu 12:8; Ps 78:2; Pr 1:6; Mt 13:35)

Nu 12:8Ps 78:2Pr 1:6Mt 13:35

5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, (Ps 37:1; Ps 94:13) 6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? (Job 31:24; Ps 52:7; Pr 11:28; Mr 10:24)

Job 31:24Ps 52:7Pr 11:28Mr 10:24

7 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, (Job 33:24; Mt 16:26; Mt 25:9) 8 for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, (Job 36:18) 9 that he should live on forever and never see the pit. (Ps 16:10; Ps 89:48) 10 For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. (Ps 39:6; Ps 73:22; Ps 92:6; Ps 94:8; Pr 30:2; Ec 2:16)

Ps 39:6Ps 73:22Ps 92:6Ps 94:8Pr 30:2Ec 2:16

11 Their graves are their homes forever,^[1] their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names. (Ge 4:17; Ps 5:9; Ps 10:6; Ps 64:6)

Ge 4:17Ps 5:9Ps 10:6Ps 64:6

12 Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish. (Ps 39:5; Ps 49:20; Ps 82:7; Ec 3:19)

Ps 39:5Ps 49:20Ps 82:7Ec 3:19

13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts.^[2] (Lu 12:20) 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. (Job 24:19; Ps 39:11; Da 7:22; Mal 4:3; Lu 22:30; 1Co 6:2; Re 2:26; Re 20:4)

Job 24:19Ps 39:11Da 7:22Mal 4:3Lu 22:301Co 6:2Re 2:26Re 20:4

15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. (Ge 5:24; Ps 16:11; Ps 17:15; Ps 73:24; Da 12:2; Ho 13:14)

Ge 5:24Ps 16:11Ps 17:15Ps 73:24Da 12:2Ho 13:14

16 Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. (Job 27:19; 1Ti 6:7) 18 For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself— (De 29:19; Ps 10:3; Ps 36:2; Lu 12:19)

De 29:19Ps 10:3Ps 36:2Lu 12:19

19 his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. (Ge 15:15; Job 33:30; Ps 56:13) 20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish. (Ps 49:12)