Psalms 49:13

A difficult verse. The best rendering appears to be:

This is the way of them that are self-confident,

And of their followers who [lit. those who after them approve their sayings.

The verse sums up the preceding verses, like Job 18:21; Job 20:29. So it fares with these self-confident fools and their deluded followers (Psalms 73:10; Job 21:33). Then, after an interlude, the fate of the wicked is more fully described in Psalms 49:14, in contrast with the hope of the godly, Psalms 49:15.

The word kçṣeldenotes the stupid self-confidence which is characteristic of the -fool" (k'sîl, Psalms 49:10). Cp. Job 31:24. Aquila and Jerome render runinstead of approve. The difference is simply one of vocalisation, and in their day the text had no written vowels. With this reading we might render: And of those who run after them at their beck.