Psalms 49:12-20

12 But 1man in his pomp will not endure; He is like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the 2way of those who are foolish, And of those after them who 3approve their words. Selah.
14 As sheep they are appointed 4for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the 5upright shall rule over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol 6to consume So that they have no habitation.
15 But God will 7redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For 8He will receive me. Selah.
16 Do not be afraid 9when a man becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dies he will 10carry nothing * away; His glory will not descend after him.
18 Though while he lives he 11congratulates himself - And though men praise you when you do well for yourself-
19 He shall 12go to the generation of his fathers; They will never * * see 13the light.
20 14Man in his pomp, yet without understanding, Is 15like the beasts that perish.

Psalms 49:12-20 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 15

  • 1. Psalms 49:20
  • 2. Jeremiah 17:11
  • 3. Psalms 49:18
  • 4. Psalms 9:17
  • 5. Daniel 7:18; Malachi 4:3; 1 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 2:26
  • 6. Job 24:19
  • 7. Psalms 16:10; Psalms 56:13; Hosea 13:14
  • 8. Genesis 5:24; Psalms 16:11; Psalms 73:24
  • 9. Psalms 37:7
  • 10. Psalms 17:14; 1 Timothy 6:7
  • 11. Deuteronomy 29:19; Psalms 10:3, 6; Luke 12:19
  • 12. Genesis 15:15
  • 13. Job 33:30; Psalms 56:13
  • 14. Psalms 49:12
  • 15. Ecclesiastes 3:19

Footnotes 16

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