Psalms – Chapter 49

Old Testament23 Verses

1A psalm for Asaph. The God of gods, the Lord hath spoken: and he hath called the earth. From the rising of the sun, to the going down thereof:

2Out of Sion the loveliness of his beauty.

3God shall come manifestly: our God shall come, and shall not keep silence. A fire shall burn before him: and a mighty tempest shall be round about him.

4He shall call heaven from above, and the earth, to judge his people.

5Gather ye together his saints to him: who set his covenant before sacrifices.

6And the heavens shall declare his justice: for God is judge.

7Hear, O my people, and I will speak: O Israel, and I will testify to thee: I am God, thy God.

8I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices: and thy burnt offerings are always in my sight.

9I will not take calves out of thy house: nor he goats out of thy flocks.

10For all the beasts of the woods are mine: the cattle on the hills, and the oxen.

11I know all the fowls of the air: and with me is the beauty of the field.

12If I should be hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.

13Shall I eat the flesh of bullocks? or shall I drink the blood of goats?

14Offer to God the sacrifice of praise: and pay thy vows to the most High.

15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

16But to the sinner God hath said: Why dost thou declare my justices, and take my covenant in thy mouth?

17Seeing thou hast hated discipline: and hast cast my words behind thee.

18If thou didst see a thief thou didst run with him: and with adulterers thou hast been a partaker.

19Thy mouth hath abounded with evil, and thy tongue framed deceits.

20Sitting thou didst speak against thy brother, and didst lay a scandal against thy mother's son:

21These things hast thou done, and I was silent. Thou thoughtest unjustly that I should be like to thee: but I will reprove thee, and set before thy face.

22Understand these things, you that forget God; lest he snatch you away, and there be none to deliver you.

23The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me: and there is the way by which I will shew him the salvation of God.

Reflection for Today

In Psalms Chapter 49, we encounter God's truth and wisdom for our lives. This chapter, like all of Scripture, is inspired by God and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. As you read these verses, ask God to open your heart to receive His message and to give you the wisdom to apply these truths to your daily life. Remember that God's Word never returns void—it always accomplishes the purpose for which He sends it. Let these words work in your heart and transform your mind.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings