Psalm 49 calls every human being - from king to commoner - to reckon with one question: can wealth save you from death? Written by the Sons of Korah, this wisdom mashal answers plainly: no ransom is sufficient. Then verse 15 opens the window: “But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me.

Full sung version coming soon.

Lyrics

Hear this, all you peoples Listen, all you inhabitants of the world

Both low and high, rich and poor together My mouth will speak words of wisdom My heart will utter understanding I will incline my ear to a proverb I will solve my riddle on the harp

Why should I fear in the days of evil When iniquity at my heels surrounds me Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches None of them can by any means redeem his brother Nor give God a ransom for him

For the redemption of their life is costly No payment is ever enough That he should live on forever That he should not see corruption

For he sees that wise men die Likewise the fool and the senseless perish And leave their wealth to others Their inward thought is that their houses will endure forever

But man, despite his riches, doesn’t endure He is like the animals that perish This is the destiny of those who are foolish And of those who approve their sayings

They are appointed as a flock for Sheol Death shall be their shepherd The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning Their beauty shall decay in Sheol

But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol For he will receive me Don’t be afraid when a man is made rich When the glory of his house is increased

For when he dies he will carry nothing away His glory won’t descend after him But I will trust in you, in you

Listen

Psalms 49 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.

Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press