Psalms 49:13

This is the destiny of fools, ¹  and of those who approve of their philosophy. ²  (Selah)

This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah

This is the way of those who are foolish, And of those after them who approve their words. Selah.

This is the fate of fools, though they will be remembered as being so wise. Interlude

This is what happens to those who live for the moment, who only look out for themselves:

This is the way of the foolish; their silver is for those who come after them, and their children get the pleasure of their gold. (Selah.)

Such is the fate of the foolhardy, the end of those who are pleased with their lot. Selah

This is the way of those who are foolish, And of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah

This is the destiny of fools, ¹  and of those who approve of their philosophy. ²  (Selah)

¹ tn Heb “this [is] their way, [there is] folly [belonging] to them.” The Hebrew term translated “this” could refer (1) back to the preceding verse[s] or (2) ahead to the subsequent statements. The translation assumes the latter, since v. 12 appears to be a refrain that concludes the psalm’s first major section and marks a structural boundary. (A similar refrain [see v. 20] concludes the second half of the psalm.) The noun דֶּרֶךְ (derekh, “way”) often refers to one’s lifestyle, but, if it relates to what follows, then here it likely refers metonymically to one’s destiny (the natural outcome of one’s lifestyle [cf. NEB, NIV, NRSV “fate”]). (See the discussion in K. Koch, TDOT 3:285.) If one prefers the more common nuance (“lifestyle”), then the term would look back to the self-confident attitude described in the earlier verses.

² tn Heb “and after them, in their mouth they take delight.” The meaning of the MT is not entirely clear. “After them” is understood here as substantival, “those who come after them” or “those who follow them.” “Their mouth” is taken as a metonymy for the arrogant attitude verbalized by the rich. In the expression “take delight in,” the preposition -ב (bet) introduces the object/cause of one’s delight (see Pss 147:10; 149:4). So the idea here is that those who come after/follow the rich find the philosophy of life they verbalize and promote to be attractive and desirable.