077) Psalm 49
8.6.8.6.
1,2 Let all the list’ning world attend, and my instruction hear;
Let high and low, and rich and poor, with joint consent give ear.
3 My mouth, with sacred wisdom filled, shall good advice impart, The sound result of prudent thoughts, digested in my heart.
4 To parables of weighty sense I will my ear incline;
Whilst to my tuneful: harp I sing dark words of deep design.
5 Why should my courage fail in times of dangers and of doubt? When sinners, that would me supplant, have compassed me about?
6 Those men that all their hope and trust in heaps of treasure place, And boast and triumph, when they see their ill-got wealth increase, 7 Are yet unable from the grave their dearest friend to free; Nor can by force or bribes reverse th’ Almighty Lord’s decree.
8,9 Their vain endeavors they must quit; the price is held too high: No sums can purchase such a grant, that man should never die.
10 Not wisdom can the wise exempt, nor fools their folly save; But both must perish, and in death their wealth to others leave.
11 For though they think their stately seats: shall ne’er to ruin fall; But their remembrance last in lauds which by their names they call.
12 Yet shall their fame he soon forgot, how great soe’er their state; With beasts their memory and they shall share one common fate.