Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.
The Historic Faith
Sign in
Audio Bible
The Historic Faith

Psalm 49 WEB Audio Bible

Select Translation

ParaphraseNot recommended for deep study

1 Hear this, all you peoples. Listen, all you inhabitants of the world,
2 both low and high, rich and poor together.
3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart shall utter understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will open my riddle on the harp.
5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
6 Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches—
7 none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him.
8 For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is ever enough,
9 That he should live on forever, that he should not see corruption.
10 For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless perish, and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inward thought is that their houses will endure forever, and their dwelling places to all generations. They name their lands after themselves.
12 But man, despite his riches, doesn’t endure. He is like the animals that perish.
13 This is the destiny of those who are foolish, and of those who approve their sayings. Selah.
14 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, far from their mansion.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah.
16 Don’t be afraid when a man is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased.
17 For when he dies he shall carry nothing away. His glory shall not descend after him.
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul— and men praise you when you do well for yourself—
19 he shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light.
20 A man who has riches without understanding, is like the animals that perish.
Chapter information and study resources

Listen to Psalms 49 with verse-by-verse audio highlighting.

Study tools for Psalm 49

Cross-references, Hebrew word study, and what the Early Church wrote about Psalm 49. Tap any section to expand — or right-click any verse for the full interactive study panel.

Psalm 49 study resources: word-by-word Hebrew interlinear with Strong's numbers, 14 cross-references.

Cross-references in Psalm 49 (14)

See the full cross-reference index →

Hebrew interlinear — Psalm 49:1–20 (161 words)
1
  1. שִׁמְעוּšimʿûshama`: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etcH8085
  2. זֹ֭אתzōtzo'th: this (often used adverb)H2063
  3. כָּלkālkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
  4. הָֽעַמִּ֑יםhāʿammîm`am: a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel)H5971
  5. הַ֝אֲזִ֗ינוּhaʾăzînûazan: to broaden out the ear (with the hand); (by implication) to listenH238
  6. כָּלkālkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
  7. יֹ֥שְׁבֵיyōšĕbêyashab: (properly) to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet)H3427
  8. חָֽלֶד׃ḥāledcheled: life (as a fleeting portion of time); (hence) the world (as transient)H2465
2
  1. גַּםgamgam: (properly) assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, thoughH1571
  2. בְּנֵ֣יbĕnêben: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including...H1121
  3. אָ֭דָםʾādomadam: ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)H120
  4. גַּםgamgam: (properly) assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, thoughH1571
  5. בְּנֵיbĕnêben: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including...H1121
  6. אִ֑ישׁʾîšiysh: a man as an individual or a male personH376
  7. יַ֝֗חַדyaḥadyachad: (properly) a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedlyH3162
  8. עָשִׁ֥ירʿāšîr`ashiyr: rich, whether literal or figurative (noble)H6223
  9. וְאֶבְיֽוֹן׃wĕʾebyônebyown: destituteH34
3
  1. פִּ֭יpîpeh: the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech)H6310
  2. יְדַבֵּ֣רyĕdabbērdabar: perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speakH1696
  3. חָכְמ֑וֹתḥokmôtchokmowth: wisdomH2454
  4. וְהָג֖וּתwĕhāgûthaguwth: musingH1900
  5. לִבִּ֣יlibbîleb: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellectH3820
  6. תְבוּנֽוֹת׃tĕbûnôttabuwn: intelligence; (by implication) an argumentH8394
4
  1. אַטֶּ֣הʾaṭṭenatah: to stretch or spread out; (by implication) to bend away (including moral deflection)H5186
  2. לְמָשָׁ֣לlĕmāšālmashal: (properly) a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical natureH4912
  3. אָזְנִ֑יʾoznîozen: broadness; (concretely) the ear (from its form in man)H241
  4. אֶפְתַּ֥חʾeptaḥpathach: to open wide (literally or figuratively)H6605
  5. בְּ֝כִנּ֗וֹרbĕkinnôrkinnowr: a harpH3658
  6. חִידָתִֽי׃ḥîdātîchiydah: a puzzle; (hence) a trick, conundrum, riddle, or obscure sayingH2420
5
  1. לָ֣מָּהlāmmâmah: (properly, interrogative) what? (including how? why? when?)H4100
  2. אִ֭ירָאʾîrāʾyare': to fear; morally, to revereH3372
  3. בִּ֣ימֵיbîmêyowm: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or...H3117
  4. רָ֑עrāʿra`: bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)H7451
  5. עֲוֹ֖ןʿăwōn`avon: perversity, i.e. (moral) evilH5771
  6. עֲקֵבַ֣יʿăqēbay`aqeb: a lier in waitH6120
  7. יְסוּבֵּֽנִי׃yĕsûbbēnîcabab: to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively (as follows)H5437
6
  1. הַבֹּטְחִ֥יםhabbōṭĕḥîmbatach: (properly) to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as H2620)H982
  2. עַלʿal`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
  3. חֵילָ֑םḥêlāmchayil: probably a force, whether of men, means or other resourcesH2428
  4. וּבְרֹ֥בûbĕrōbrob: abundance (in any respect)H7230
  5. עָ֝שְׁרָ֗םʿāšĕrām`osher: wealthH6239
  6. יִתְהַלָּֽלוּ׃yithallālûhalal: to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color)H1984
7
  1. אָ֗חʾāḥach: a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like H0001))H251
  2. לֹאlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  3. פָדֹ֣הpādōpadah: to sever, i.e. ransom; gener. to release, preserveH6299
  4. יִפְדֶּ֣הyipdepadah: to sever, i.e. ransom; gener. to release, preserveH6299
  5. אִ֑ישׁʾîšiysh: a man as an individual or a male personH376
  6. לֹאlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  7. יִתֵּ֖ןyittēnnathan: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)H5414
  8. לֵאלֹהִ֣יםlēʾlōhîmelohiym: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the...H430
  9. כָּפְרֽוֹ׃koprôkopher: (properly) a cover, i.e. (literally) a village (as covered in)H3724
8
  1. וְ֭יֵקַרwĕyēqaryaqar: (properly) apparently, to be heavy, i.e. (figuratively) valuableH3365
  2. פִּדְי֥וֹןpidyônpidyowm: a ransomH6306
  3. נַפְשָׁ֗םnapšāmnephesh: (properly) a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitalityH5315
  4. וְחָדַ֥לwĕḥādalchadal: (properly) to be flabby; (by implication) desistH2308
  5. לְעוֹלָֽם׃lĕʿôlām`owlam: (properly) concealed, i.e. the vanishing pointH5769
9
  1. וִֽיחִיwîḥîchayah: to live, whether literally or figurativelyH2421
  2. ע֥וֹדʿôd`owd: (properly) iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly...H5750
  3. לָנֶ֑צַחlāneṣaḥnetsach: (properly) a goal, i.e. the bright object at a distance travelled towardsH5331
  4. לֹ֖אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  5. יִרְאֶ֣הyirʾera'ah: to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and...H7200
  6. הַשָּֽׁחַת׃haššāḥatshachath: a pit (especially as a trap); (figuratively) destructionH7845
10
  1. כִּ֤יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  2. יִרְאֶ֨ה׀yirʾera'ah: to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and...H7200
  3. חֲכָ֘מִ֤יםḥăkāmîmchakam: wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful)H2450
  4. יָמ֗וּתוּyāmûtûmuwth: (literally or figuratively) to die; (causatively) to killH4191
  5. יַ֤חַדyaḥadyachad: (properly) a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedlyH3162
  6. כְּסִ֣ילkĕsîlkciyl: (properly) fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or sillyH3684
  7. וָבַ֣עַרwābaʿarba`ar: (properly) foot (as consumed); (by extension) of cattle brutishnessH1198
  8. יֹאבֵ֑דוּyōʾbēdûabad: (properly) to wander away, i.e. lose oneselfH6
  9. וְעָזְב֖וּwĕʿozbû`azab: to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etcH5800
  10. לַאֲחֵרִ֣יםlaʾăḥērîmacher: (properly) hinder; (generally) next, other, etcH312
  11. חֵילָֽם׃ḥêlāmchayil: probably a force, whether of men, means or other resourcesH2428
11
  1. קִרְבָּ֤םqirbāmqereb: (properly) the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with...H7130
  2. בָּתֵּ֨ימוֹ׀bottêmôbayith: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)H1004
  3. לְֽעוֹלָ֗םlĕʿôlām`owlam: (properly) concealed, i.e. the vanishing pointH5769
  4. מִ֭שְׁכְּנֹתָםmiškĕnōtommishkan: a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the graveH4908
  5. לְד֣וֹרlĕdôrdowr: (properly) a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generationH1755
  6. וָדֹ֑רwādōrdowr: (properly) a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generationH1755
  7. קָֽרְא֥וּqārĕʾûqara': to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)H7121
  8. בִ֝שְׁמוֹתָ֗םbišmôtāmshem: an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individualityH8034
  9. עֲלֵ֣יʿălê`al: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of...H5921
  10. אֲדָמֽוֹת׃ʾădāmôtadamah: soil (from its general redness)H127
12
  1. וְאָדָ֣םwĕʾādāmadam: ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)H120
  2. בִּ֭יקָרbîqoryqar: value; (concretely) wealthH3366
  3. בַּלbalbal: (properly) a failure; (by implication) nothingH1077
  4. יָלִ֑יןyālînluwn: to stop (usually over night); (by implication) to stay permanentlyH3885
  5. נִמְשַׁ֖לnimšalmashal: to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like)H4911
  6. כַּבְּהֵמ֣וֹתkabbĕhēmôtbhemah: (properly) a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)H929
  7. נִדְמֽוּ׃nidmûdamah: to be dumb or silent; (hence) to fail or perishH1820
13
  1. זֶ֣הzezeh: the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or thatH2088
  2. דַ֭רְכָּםdarkomderek: a road (as trodden); (figuratively) a course of life or mode of action, often adverbH1870
  3. כֵּ֣סֶלkēselkecel: (properly) fatness; (by implication, literally) the loin (as the seat of the leaf fat)H3689
  4. לָ֑מוֹlāmô
  5. וְאַחֲרֵיהֶ֓ם׀wĕʾaḥărêhemachar: (properly) the hind part; (generally, as adverb or conjunction) after (in various senses)H310
  6. בְּפִיהֶ֖םbĕpîhempeh: the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech)H6310
  7. יִרְצ֣וּyirṣûratsah: to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debtH7521
  8. סֶֽלָה׃selâcelah: suspension (of music), i.e. pauseH5542
14
  1. כַּצֹּ֤אן׀kaṣṣōntso'n: a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats)H6629
  2. לִֽשְׁא֣וֹלlišĕʾôlsh'owl: Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmatesH7585
  3. שַׁתּוּ֮šattûshathath: to place, i.e. array; reflex. to lieH8371
  4. מָ֤וֶתmāwetmaveth: death (natural or violent); (concretely) the dead, their place or state (hades)H4194
  5. יִ֫רְעֵ֥םyirʿēmra`ah: to tend a flock i.e. pasture it; (intransitively, literally or figuratively) to grazeH7462
  6. וַיִּרְדּ֘וּwayyirdûradah: to tread down, i.e. subjugate; specifically, to crumble offH7287
  7. בָ֤םbām
  8. יְשָׁרִ֨ים׀yĕšārîmyashar: straightH3477
  9. לַבֹּ֗קֶרlabbōqerboqer: (properly) dawn (as the break of day); (generally) morningH1242
  10. וְ֭ציּרָםwĕṣyyromtsiyr: a form (of beauty; as if pressed out, i.e. carved)H6736
  11. לְבַלּ֥וֹתlĕballôtbalah: to fail; (by implication) to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend)H1086
  12. שְׁא֗וֹלšĕʾôlsh'owl: Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmatesH7585
  13. מִזְּבֻ֥לmizzĕbulzbuwl: a residenceH2073
15
  1. אַךְʾakak: a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) onlyH389
  2. אֱלֹהִ֗יםʾĕlōhîmelohiym: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the...H430
  3. יִפְדֶּ֣הyipdepadah: to sever, i.e. ransom; gener. to release, preserveH6299
  4. נַ֭פְשִׁיnapšînephesh: (properly) a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitalityH5315
  5. מִֽיַּדmiyyadyad: a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), in distinction from H3709, the closed one)H3027
  6. שְׁא֑וֹלšĕʾôlsh'owl: Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmatesH7585
  7. כִּ֖יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  8. יִקָּחֵ֣נִיyiqqāḥēnîlaqach: to take (in the widest variety of applications)H3947
  9. סֶֽלָה׃selâcelah: suspension (of music), i.e. pauseH5542
16
  1. אַלʾalal: (qualified negation) not (used as a deprecative)H408
  2. תִּ֭ירָאtîrāʾyare': to fear; morally, to revereH3372
  3. כִּֽיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  4. יַעֲשִׁ֣רyaʿăšir`ashar: (properly) to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) richH6238
  5. אִ֑ישׁʾîšiysh: a man as an individual or a male personH376
  6. כִּֽיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  7. יִ֝רְבֶּהyirberabah: to increase (in whatever respect)H7235
  8. כְּב֣וֹדkĕbôdkabowd: (properly) weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousnessH3519
  9. בֵּיתֽוֹ׃bêtôbayith: a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)H1004
17
  1. כִּ֤יkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  2. לֹ֣אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  3. בְ֭מוֹתוֹbĕmôtômaveth: death (natural or violent); (concretely) the dead, their place or state (hades)H4194
  4. יִקַּ֣חyiqqaḥlaqach: to take (in the widest variety of applications)H3947
  5. הַכֹּ֑לhakkōlkol: (properly) the whole; (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)H3605
  6. לֹאlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  7. יֵרֵ֖דyērēdyarad: to descend; (literally) to go downwardsH3381
  8. אַחֲרָ֣יוʾaḥărāywachar: (properly) the hind part; (generally, as adverb or conjunction) after (in various senses)H310
  9. כְּבוֹדֽוֹ׃kĕbôdôkabowd: (properly) weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousnessH3519
18
  1. כִּֽיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  2. נַ֭פְשׁוֹnapšônephesh: (properly) a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitalityH5315
  3. בְּחַיָּ֣יוbĕḥayyāywchay: alive; (hence) raw (flesh)H2416
  4. יְבָרֵ֑ךְyĕbārēkbarak: to kneel; (implication, man toward God) to bless God as an act of adorationH1288
  5. וְ֝יוֹדֻ֗ךָwĕyôdukāyadah: (literally) to use (i.e. hold out) the handH3034
  6. כִּיkîkiy: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below)H3588
  7. תֵיטִ֥יבtêṭîbyatab: to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)H3190
19
  1. תָּ֭בוֹאtābôʾbow': to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)H935
  2. עַדʿad`ad: (properly) a (peremptory) terminusH5704
  3. דּ֣וֹרdôrdowr: (properly) a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generationH1755
  4. אֲבוֹתָ֑יוʾăbôtāywab: fatherH1
  5. עַדʿad`ad: (properly) a (peremptory) terminusH5704
  6. נֵ֝֗צַחnēṣaḥnetsach: (properly) a goal, i.e. the bright object at a distance travelled towardsH5331
  7. לֹ֣אlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  8. יִרְאוּyirʾûra'ah: to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and...H7200
  9. אֽוֹר׃ʾôrowr: illumination; (concretely) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)H216
20
  1. אָדָ֣םʾādāmadam: ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)H120
  2. בִּ֭יקָרbîqoryqar: value; (concretely) wealthH3366
  3. וְלֹ֣אwĕlōʾlo': (the simple or absolute negation) not; (by implication) noH3808
  4. יָבִ֑יןyābînbiyn: to separate mentally (or distinguish); (generally) understandH995
  5. נִמְשַׁ֖לnimšalmashal: to liken, i.e. (transitively) to use figurative language (an allegory, adage, song or the like)H4911
  6. כַּבְּהֵמ֣וֹתkabbĕhēmôtbhemah: (properly) a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)H929
  7. נִדְמֽוּ׃nidmûdamah: to be dumb or silent; (hence) to fail or perishH1820

View the full Hebrew interlinear for Psalm 49 →

Strong's words in Psalm 49 (6)
Strong's H120 — אָ֭דָם (ʾādom)
adam (aw-dawm') n-m. 1. ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) [from H119] KJV: X another, + hypocrite, + common sort, X low, man (mean, of low degree), person. Root(s): H119. Appears 3 times in Psalm 49.
Strong's H1755 — לְד֣וֹר (lĕdôr)
dowr (dore) (or (shortened) dor {dore}) n-m. 1. (properly) a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation 2. also a dwelling [from H1752] KJV: age, X evermore, generation, (n-)ever, posterity. Root(s): H1752. Appears 3 times in Psalm 49.
Strong's H3605 — כָּל (kāl)
kol (kole) (or (Jer. 33) n-m. 1. (properly) the whole 2. (hence) all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense) [from H3634] KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). Root(s): H3634. Appears 3 times in Psalm 49.
Strong's H376 — אִ֑ישׁ (ʾîš)
iysh (eesh) n-m. 1. a man as an individual or a male person 2. often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation) [contracted for H582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant)] KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, + champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people, person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Root(s): H582 Compare: H802. Appears 3 times in Psalm 49.
Strong's H5315 — נַפְשָׁ֗ם (napšām)
nephesh (neh'-fesh) n-f. 1. (properly) a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality 2. used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental) [from H5314] KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire, X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they, thing, (X she) will, X would have it. Root(s): H5314. Appears 3 times in Psalm 49.
Strong's H6299 — פָדֹ֣ה (pādō)
padah (paw-daw') v. 1. to sever, i.e. ransom 2. gener. to release, preserve [a primitive root] KJV: X at all, deliver, X by any means, ransom, (that are to be, let be) redeem(-ed), rescue, X surely.. Appears 3 times in Psalm 49.

Browse the full Strong's concordance →

0:00 Psalms 49 0:00

Video Bible

Loading video...

Scripture video provided by Faith Comes By Hearing

🌐 Select Language

2538 Bibles in 2198 Languages

Select Translation

Congratulations!

You completed the book of Matthew!

Points Earned +280
28 Chapters
15% NT Progress