Psalms 49:1-10

The Folly of Trusting in Riches.

1 1Hear this, all peoples; Give ear, all 2inhabitants of the world,
2 Both 3low * and high *, Rich and poor together.
3 My mouth will 4speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be 5understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to 6a proverb; 7I will express my 8riddle on the harp.
5 Why should I 9fear in days of adversity, When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me,
6 Even those who 10trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches?
7 No man can by any means 11redeem his brother Or give to God a 12ransom for him-
8 For 13the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever -
9 That he should 14live on eternally, That he should not 15undergo decay.
10 For he sees that even 16wise men die; The 17stupid and the senseless alike perish And 18leave their wealth to others.

Psalms 49:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Aben Ezra says this psalm is a very excellent one, since in it is explained the Light of the world to come, and of the rational and immortal soul; and Kimchi is of opinion that it respects both this world and that which is to come: and indeed it treats of the vanity of trusting in riches: of the insufficiency of them for the redemption of the soul; of the short continuance of worldly honour and substance; of the certainty of death, and of the resurrection of the dead. And the design of it is to expose the folly of trusting in uncertain riches, and to comfort the people of God under the want of them.

Cross References 18

  • 1. Psalms 78:1; Isaiah 1:2; Micah 1:2
  • 2. Psalms 33:8
  • 3. Psalms 62:9
  • 4. Psalms 37:30
  • 5. Psalms 119:130
  • 6. Psalms 78:2
  • 7. 2 Kings 3:15
  • 8. Numbers 12:8
  • 9. Psalms 23:4; Psalms 27:1
  • 10. Job 31:24; Psalms 52:7; Proverbs 11:28; Mark 10:24
  • 11. Matthew 25:8, 9
  • 12. Job 36:18, 19
  • 13. Matthew 16:26
  • 14. Psalms 22:29
  • 15. Psalms 16:10; Psalms 89:48
  • 16. Ecclesiastes 2:16
  • 17. Psalms 92:6; Psalms 94:8
  • 18. Psalms 39:6; Ecclesiastes 2:18, 21; Luke 12:20

Footnotes 4

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