Psalms 49:14-20

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

Psalms 49:14-20 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 12

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

Footnotes 12

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