Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
Psalms 49 delves into a timeless and universally relevant question: how should we view the prosperity of the wicked when the righteous often struggle? This psalm, rightly considered a wisdom psalm, grapples with this "riddle" (Psalms 49:4), a perplexing situation that demands thoughtful consideration and divine understanding. Like Proverbs 1:6-7, this psalm invites us to seek wisdom to untangle life's frustrations.
An Invitation to Hear Wisdom (Psalms 49:1-4)
The psalmist begins by calling upon all people, regardless of their status, to pay close attention (Psalms 49:1). This message is for everyone—rich or poor, powerful or weak. The psalmist intends to impart wisdom through a proverb or riddle (Psalms 49:3-4), offering insight that leads to understanding. The wisdom spoken here is not just for a select few; it is a universal truth meant to guide all of humanity.
The Illusion of Security in Wealth (Psalms 49:5-9)
The core issue explored is how to react to the apparent success of the wicked. They seem to live comfortably, even luxuriously, despite their opposition to God. Meanwhile, the godly often face hardship, a reality also addressed in Psalms 73:2-3 and Proverbs 11:4; 22:2. This can be disheartening, but the psalm reminds us that the wicked's security is temporary and ultimately false.
The wicked may trust in their wealth and boast in their riches (Psalms 49:6), but earthly treasure has its limits. While money can buy possessions, it cannot buy redemption from death. Riches cannot redeem a person or pay their ransom to God (Psalms 49:7-8). Wealth is powerless against mortality. Only one thing can redeem sinful humanity so that we may live forever and not see death (Psalms 49:9): the precious blood of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift that transcends earthly riches.
The Great Equalizer: Death (Psalms 49:10-15)
The psalm underscores the inevitability of death for all, regardless of wisdom or foolishness (Psalms 49:10). No matter how much one accumulates, their wealth will be left behind (Psalms 49:10). It is foolish to think that our possessions will grant us lasting fame or reputation (Psalms 49:11-12). The grave (Sheol) awaits everyone (Psalms 49:14).
However, for those who trust in God, there is hope. While we cannot save ourselves, God is mighty to save. "God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me" (Psalms 49:15). This verse offers a powerful promise of resurrection and eternal life for the righteous.
The Folly of Envying the Wicked (Psalms 49:16-20)
The psalm concludes by discouraging envy or fear of the ungodly who prosper in this life (Psalms 49:16). "For when he dies he will carry nothing away" (Psalms 49:17). Material wealth is fleeting and cannot accompany us into eternity. Those who accumulate riches but lack spiritual understanding are likened to animals that perish (Psalms 49:18-20).
This psalm serves as both a reminder and an encouragement to prioritize righteousness over riches. Our lives are finite, and the treasures we store in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) will prove far more valuable in the long run than any earthly possessions. Let us prioritize the spiritual over the material, knowing that true and lasting security is found only in God. Your life will soon end. The riches you have deposited in heaven will prove far more important in the long run than whatever riches you deposited on earth (see Matthew 6:19-21). Prioritize the spiritual over the material.
Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
Psalms 49 delves into a timeless and universally relevant question: how should we view the prosperity of the wicked when the righteous often struggle? This psalm, rightly considered a wisdom psalm, grapples with this "riddle" (Psalms 49:4), a perplexing situation that demands thoughtful consideration and divine understanding. Like Proverbs 1:6-7, this psalm invites us to seek wisdom to untangle life's frustrations.
An Invitation to Hear Wisdom (Psalms 49:1-4)
The psalmist begins by calling upon all people, regardless of their status, to pay close attention (Psalms 49:1). This message is for everyone—rich or poor, powerful or weak. The psalmist intends to impart wisdom through a proverb or riddle (Psalms 49:3-4), offering insight that leads to understanding. The wisdom spoken here is not just for a select few; it is a universal truth meant to guide all of humanity.
The Illusion of Security in Wealth (Psalms 49:5-9)
The core issue explored is how to react to the apparent success of the wicked. They seem to live comfortably, even luxuriously, despite their opposition to God. Meanwhile, the godly often face hardship, a reality also addressed in Psalms 73:2-3 and Proverbs 11:4; 22:2. This can be disheartening, but the psalm reminds us that the wicked's security is temporary and ultimately false.
The wicked may trust in their wealth and boast in their riches (Psalms 49:6), but earthly treasure has its limits. While money can buy possessions, it cannot buy redemption from death. Riches cannot redeem a person or pay their ransom to God (Psalms 49:7-8). Wealth is powerless against mortality. Only one thing can redeem sinful humanity so that we may live forever and not see death (Psalms 49:9): the precious blood of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Salvation is a gift that transcends earthly riches.
The Great Equalizer: Death (Psalms 49:10-15)
The psalm underscores the inevitability of death for all, regardless of wisdom or foolishness (Psalms 49:10). No matter how much one accumulates, their wealth will be left behind (Psalms 49:10). It is foolish to think that our possessions will grant us lasting fame or reputation (Psalms 49:11-12). The grave (Sheol) awaits everyone (Psalms 49:14).
However, for those who trust in God, there is hope. While we cannot save ourselves, God is mighty to save. "God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me" (Psalms 49:15). This verse offers a powerful promise of resurrection and eternal life for the righteous.
The Folly of Envying the Wicked (Psalms 49:16-20)
The psalm concludes by discouraging envy or fear of the ungodly who prosper in this life (Psalms 49:16). "For when he dies he will carry nothing away" (Psalms 49:17). Material wealth is fleeting and cannot accompany us into eternity. Those who accumulate riches but lack spiritual understanding are likened to animals that perish (Psalms 49:18-20).
This psalm serves as both a reminder and an encouragement to prioritize righteousness over riches. Our lives are finite, and the treasures we store in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21) will prove far more valuable in the long run than any earthly possessions. Let us prioritize the spiritual over the material, knowing that true and lasting security is found only in God. Your life will soon end. The riches you have deposited in heaven will prove far more important in the long run than whatever riches you deposited on earth (see Matthew 6:19-21). Prioritize the spiritual over the material.