The Folly of Trusting in Riches

491 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: 2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together. 3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. 4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. 5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

Other Translations of Psalm 49:1-5

New International Version

The Folly of Trusting in Riches

491 In Hebrew texts 49:1-20 is numbered 49:2-21.Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor alike: 3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding. 4 I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle: 5 Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me-

English Standard Version

The Folly of Trusting in Riches

491 Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor together! 3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre. 5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,

The Message

The Folly of Trusting in Riches

491 Listen, everyone, listen - earth-dwellers, don't miss this. 2 All you haves and have-nots, All together now: listen. 3 I set plainspoken wisdom before you, my heart-seasoned understandings of life. 4 I fine-tuned my ear to the sayings of the wise, I solve life's riddle with the help of a harp. 5 So why should I fear in bad times, hemmed in by enemy malice,

New King James Version

The Folly of Trusting in Riches

491 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Hear this, all peoples; Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 Both low and high, Rich and poor together. 3 My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding. 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp. 5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?

New Living Translation

The Folly of Trusting in Riches

491 Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! 2 High and low, rich and poor-listen! 3 For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight. 4 I listen carefully to many proverbs and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp. 5 Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me?

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 49:1-5

Commentary on Psalm 49:1-5

(Read Psalm 49:1-5)

We seldom meet with a more solemn introduction: there is no truth of greater importance. Let all hear this with application to ourselves. The poor are in danger from undue desire toward the wealth of the world, as rich people from undue delight in it. The psalmist begins with applying it to himself, and that is the right method in which to treat of Divine things. Before he sets down the folly of carnal security, he lays down, from his own experience, the benefit and comfort of a holy, gracious security, which they enjoy who trust in God, and not in their worldly wealth. In the day of judgment, the iniquity of our heels, or of our steps, our past sins, will compass us. In those days, worldly, wicked people will be afraid; but wherefore should a man fear death who has God with him?