Psalm 49:1–11 | Liturgical Calendar

1

Hear this, all you peoples;

hearken, all you who dwell in the world, *

you of high degree and low, rich and poor together.

2

My mouth shall speak of wisdom, *

and my heart shall meditate on understanding.

3

I will incline my ear to a proverb *

and set forth my riddle upon the harp.

4

Why should I be afraid in evil days, *

when the wickedness of those at my heels surrounds me,

5

The wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods, *

and boast of their great riches?

6

We can never ransom ourselves, *

or deliver to God the price of our life;

7

For the ransom of our life is so great, *

that we should never have enough to pay it,

8

In order to live for ever and ever, *

and never see the grave.

9

For we see that the wise die also;

like the dull and stupid they perish *

and leave their wealth to those who come after them.

10

Their graves shall be their homes for ever,

their dwelling places from generation to generation, *

though they call the lands after their own names.

11

Even though honored, they cannot live for ever; *

they are like the beasts that perish.