1 <Alamoth. To the chief music-maker. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm.> Give attention to this, all you peoples; let your ears be open, all you who are living in the world.
2 High and low together, the poor, and those who have wealth.
3 From my mouth will come words of wisdom; and in the thoughts of my heart will be knowledge.
4 I will put my teaching into a story; I will make my dark sayings clear with music.
5 What cause have I for fear in the days of evil, when the evil-doing of those who are working for my downfall is round about me?
6 Even of those whose faith is in their wealth, and whose hearts are lifted up because of their stores.
7 Truly, no man may get back his soul for a price, or give to God the payment for himself;
8 (Because it takes a great price to keep his soul from death, and man is not able to give it.)
9 So that he might have eternal life, and never see the underworld.
10 For he sees that wise men come to their end, and foolish persons of low behaviour come to destruction together, letting their wealth go to others.
11 The place of the dead is their house for ever, and their resting-place through all generations; those who come after them give their names to their lands.
12 But man, like the animals, does not go on for ever; he comes to an end like the beasts.
13 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.)
14 Death will give them their food like sheep; the underworld is their fate and they will go down into it; their flesh is food for worms; their form is wasted away; the underworld is their resting-place for ever.
15 But God will get back my soul; for he will take me from the power of death. (Selah.)
16 Have no fear when wealth comes to a man, and the glory of his house is increased;
17 For at his death, he will take nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.
18 Though he might have pride in his soul in his life-time, and men will give you praise if you do well for yourself,
19 He will go to the generation of his fathers; he will not see the light again.
20 Man, like the animals, does not go on for ever; he comes to an end like the beasts.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 49
Commentary on Psalms 49 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 49
Ps 49:1-20. This Psalm instructs and consoles. It teaches that earthly advantages are not reliable for permanent happiness, and that, however prosperous worldly men may be for a time, their ultimate destiny is ruin, while the pious are safe in God's care.
1-3. All are called to hear what interests all.
world—literally, "duration of life," the present time.
4. incline—to hear attentively (Ps 17:6; 31:2).
parable—In Hebrew and Greek "parable" and "proverb" are translations of the same word. It denotes a comparison, or form of speech, which under one image includes many, and is expressive of a general truth capable of various illustrations. Hence it may be used for the illustration itself. For the former sense, "proverb" (that is, one word for several) is the usual English term, and for the latter, in which comparison is prominent, "parable" (that is, one thing laid by another). The distinction is not always observed, since here, and in Ps 78:2; "proverb" would better express the style of the composition (compare also Pr 26:7, 9; Hab 2:6; Joh 16:25, 29). Such forms of speech are often very figurative and also obscure (compare Mt 13:12-15). Hence the use of the parallel word—
dark saying—or, "riddle" (compare Eze 17:2).
open—is to explain.
upon the harp—the accompaniment for a lyric.
5. iniquity—or, "calamity" (Ps 40:12).
of my heels—literally "my supplanters" (Ge 27:36), or oppressors: "I am surrounded by the evils they inflict."
6. They are vainglorious.
7-9. yet unable to save themselves or others.
8. it ceaseth for ever—that is, the ransom fails, the price is too precious, costly.
9. corruption—literally, "pit," or, "grave," thus showing that "soul" is used for "life" [Ps 49:8].
10. For he seeth—that is, corruption; then follows the illustration.
wise … fool—(Ps 14:1; Pr 1:32; 10:1).
likewise—alike altogether—(Ps 4:8)—die—all meet the same fate.
11. Still infatuated and flattered with hopes of perpetuity, they call their lands, or "celebrate their names on account of (their) lands."
12. Contrasted with this vanity is their frailty. However honored, man
abideth not—literally, "lodgeth not," remains not till morning, but suddenly perishes as (wild) beasts, whose lives are taken without warning.
13. Though their way is folly, others follow the same course of life.
14. Like sheep—(compare Ps 49:12) unwittingly, they
are laid—or, "put," &c.
death shall feed on—or, better, "shall rule"
them—as a shepherd (compare "feed," Ps 28:9, Margin).
have dominion over—or, "subdue"
them in the morning—suddenly, or in their turn.
their beauty—literally, "form" or shape.
shall consume—literally, "is for the consumption," that is, of the grave.
from their dwelling—literally, "from their home (they go) to it," that is, the grave.
15. The pious, delivered from "the power of the grave."
power—literally, "the hand," of death, are taken under God's care.
16-19. applies this instruction. Be not anxious (Ps 37:1, &c.), since death cuts off the prosperous wicked whom you dread.
18. Though … lived, &c.—literally, "For in his life he blessed his soul," or, "himself" (Lu 12:19, 16:25); yet (Ps 49:19); he has had his portion.
men will praise … thyself—Flatterers enhance the rich fool's self-complacency; the form of address to him strengthens the emphasis of the sentiment.
20. (Compare Ps 49:12). The folly is more distinctly expressed by "understandeth not," substituted for "abideth not."