Psalm 49

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes: 123 St Neot, 39 Caroline, 146 Wigtown

1    Hear this, all people, and give ear,

            all in the world that dwell;

2    Both low and high, both rich and poor.

3         My mouth shall wisdom tell;

      My heart shall knowledge meditate.

4         I will incline mine ear

      To parables, and on the harp

            my sayings dark declare.

5    Amidst those days that evil be,

            why should I, fearing, doubt?

      When of my heels th’ iniquity

            shall compass me about.

6    Whoe’er they be that in their wealth

            their confidence do pitch,

      And boast themselves, because they are

            become exceeding rich:

7    Yet none of these his brother can

            redeem by any way;

      Nor can he unto God for him

            sufficient ransom pay,

8    (Their soul’s redemption precious is,

            and it can never be,)

9    That still he should for ever live,

            and not corruption see.

10  For why? he seeth that wise men die,

            and brutish fools also

      Do perish; and their wealth, when dead,

            to others they let go.

11  Their inward thought is, that their house

            and dwelling-places shall

      Stand through all ages; they their lands

            by their own names do call.

12  But yet in honour shall not man

            abide continually;

      But passing hence, may be compar’d

            unto the beasts that die.

13  Thus brutish folly plainly is

            their wisdom and their way;

      Yet their posterity approve

            what they do fondly say.

14  Like sheep they in the grave are laid,

            and death shall them devour;

      And in the morning upright men

            shall over them have pow’r:

      Their beauty from their dwelling shall

            consume within the grave.

15  But from hell’s hand God will me free,

            for he shall me receive.

16  Be thou not then afraid when one

            enriched thou dost see,

      Nor when the glory of his house

            advanced is on high:

17  For he shall carry nothing hence

            when death his days doth end;

      Nor shall his glory after him

            into the grave descend.

18  Although he his own soul did bless

            whilst he on earth did live;

      (And when thou to thyself dost well,

            men will thee praises give;)

19  He to his fathers’ race shall go,

            they never shall see light.

20  Man honour’d wanting knowledge is

            like beasts that perish quite.