The psalmist invites all people to listen and says that no one can redeem even a brother, since wealth cannot buy life or avoid the grave. God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave.
1 To the chief Musician , A Psalm for the sons of Korah . 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?
6 They that trust in their wealth , and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches ;
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother , nor give to God a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious , and it ceaseth for ever :)
9 That he should still live for ever , and not see corruption .
10 For he seeth that wise men die , likewise the fool and the brutish person perish , and leave their wealth to others .
11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever , and their dwelling places to all generations ; they call their lands after their own names .
12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish .
13 This their way is their folly : yet their posterity approve their sayings . Selah .
14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave ; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning ; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling .
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave : for he shall receive me. Selah .
16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich , when the glory of his house is increased ;
17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away : his glory shall not descend after him.
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul : and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers ; they shall never see light .
20 Man that is in honour , and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish .