Psalms 49; Psalms 50

1 Listen to this, all you people. Open your ears, all who live in the world--

2 common people and important ones, rich people and poor ones.

3 My mouth will speak wise sayings, the insights I have carefully considered.

4 I will turn my attention to a proverb. I will explain my riddle with the [music of] a lyre.

5 Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when slanderers surround me with evil?

6 They trust their riches and brag about their abundant wealth.

7 No one can ever buy back another person or pay God a ransom for his life.

8 The price to be paid for his soul is too costly. He must always give up

9 in order to live forever and never see the pit.

10 Indeed, one can see that wise people die, that foolish and stupid people meet the same end. They leave their riches to others.

11 Although they named their lands after themselves, their graves have become their homes for ages to come, their dwelling places throughout every generation.

12 But mortals will not continue here with what they treasure. They are like animals that die.

13 This is the final outcome for fools and their followers who are delighted by what they say: Selah

14 Like sheep, they are driven to hell with death as their shepherd. (Decent people will rule them in the morning.) Their forms will decay in the grave, far away from their comfortable homes.

15 But God will buy me back from the power of hell because he will take me. Selah

16 Do not be afraid when someone becomes rich, when the greatness of his house increases.

17 He will not take anything with him when he dies. His greatness cannot follow him.

18 Even though he blesses himself while he is alive (and they praise you when you do well for yourself),

19 he must join the generation of his ancestors, who will never see light [again].

20 Mortals, with what they treasure, still don't have understanding. They are like animals that die.

1 The LORD, the only true God, has spoken. He has summoned the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets.

2 God shines from Zion, the perfection of beauty.

3 Our God will come and will not remain silent. A devouring fire is in front of him and a raging storm around him.

4 He summons heaven and earth to judge his people:

5 "Gather around me, my godly people who have made a pledge to me through sacrifices."

6 The heavens announce his righteousness because God is the judge. Selah

7 "Listen, my people, and I will speak. Listen, Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God!

8 I am not criticizing you for your sacrifices or burnt offerings, which are always in front of me.

9 [But] I will not accept [another] young bull from your household or a single male goat from your pens.

10 Every creature in the forest, [even] the cattle on a thousand hills, is mine.

11 I know every bird in the mountains. Everything that moves in the fields is mine.

12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, because the world and all that it contains are mine.

13 Do I eat the meat of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

14 Bring [your] thanks to God as a sacrifice, and keep your vows to the Most High.

15 Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me."

16 But God says to wicked people, "How dare you quote my decrees and mouth my promises!

17 You hate discipline. You toss my words behind you.

18 When you see a thief, you want to make friends with him. You keep company with people who commit adultery.

19 You let your mouth say anything evil. Your tongue plans deceit.

20 You sit and talk against your own brother. You slander your own mother's son.

21 When you did these things, I remained silent. [That] made you think I was like you. I will argue my point with you and lay it all out for you to see.

22 Consider this, you people who forget God. Otherwise, I will tear you to pieces, and there will be no one left to rescue you.

23 Whoever offers thanks as a sacrifice honors me. I will let everyone who continues in my way see the salvation that comes from God."