Religion

Psalm 49

by George Wither 1588–1667

Translated by George Wither (1632) · From The Psalmes of David Translated into Lyrick-Verse (1632)

Religion

YEe dwellers all on earth, give eare,
Both rich & pore, & high, & lowe;
For, musings deep, I will declare,
And, wisdome from my tongue shall flowe.
Dark Problems I will harken out,
A Ridle to my harpe, I'le sing;
For, of that day, what should I doubt,
Which, all my faults, will round me bring?

They, who their trust in Riches have,
And, glorie in their wealths encrease,
Their brothers life, shall neither save,
Nor with his God, procure him peace.
For, soules redemptions are so deare,
That, no man cann sufficient have
To purchase life, for ever, here;
Or, scape the Dungeon of the grave.

Men see, both fooles & wisemen die,
And, that their gettings others wast:
Yet, to their Names, their lands they tie,
And, thinck their house will ever last.
But, man's vaine honor soone decaies,
Ev'n as the bruitish creature dies:
And, (though their seed, their course do praise)
Their waies are neither safe, nor wise. Selah

Like sheep, they food for death are made,
Who shall a cov'ring on them laie:
Their glories in the grave shall fade,
And, Iust-men rise more blest, then they. Selah
Despaire not then, though some thou see,
Surpassing thee in place, or pelfe:
Since, God, thy soul from hell will free,
And, home receive thee to him self.

For, though their life more blest they thought,
(And, others did their path commend)
They to their grave shall carry nought,
Nor shall their pompe to them descend.
No; to their Fathers, they must passe,
And lie in darknes quite forgott;
For, foolish men in honor'd place,
Are like the beast, which dies, to rott.

MLA

Wither, George. “Psalm 49.” Translated by George Wither. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/wither/76/.

Chicago

Wither, George. “Psalm 49.” Translated by George Wither. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/wither/76/.

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