Psalms 49:2-12

2 Listen, both great and small, rich and poor together.

3 What I say is wise, and my heart speaks with understanding.

4 I will pay attention to a wise saying; I will explain my riddle on the harp.

5 Why should I be afraid of bad days? Why should I fear when evil men surround me?

6 They trust in their money and brag about their riches.

7 No one can buy back the life of another. No one can pay God for his own life,

8 because the price of a life is high. No payment is ever enough.

9 Do people live forever? Don't they all face death?

10 See, even wise people die. Fools and stupid people also die and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their graves will always be their homes. They will live there from now on, even though they named places after themselves.

12 Even rich people do not live forever; like the animals, people die.

Psalms 49:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Aben Ezra says this psalm is a very excellent one, since in it is explained the Light of the world to come, and of the rational and immortal soul; and Kimchi is of opinion that it respects both this world and that which is to come: and indeed it treats of the vanity of trusting in riches: of the insufficiency of them for the redemption of the soul; of the short continuance of worldly honour and substance; of the certainty of death, and of the resurrection of the dead. And the design of it is to expose the folly of trusting in uncertain riches, and to comfort the people of God under the want of them.