Psalms 49:2

2 Listen, ordinary and important people alike. Listen, those of you who are rich or poor.

Psalms 49:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 49:2

Both low and high
Or "both the sons of Adam and the sons of men". By the sons of "Adam" are meant the multitude of the people, as Ben Melech explains it; the common people, the meaner sort, the base things of this world; and such are they, generally speaking, who are called by grace under the Gospel dispensation: and by "the sons of men" are meant the princes, nobles, and great men of the earth; men of high birth and illustrious extraction: so Adam is rendered, "the mean man", and "Ish", the word here used, "the great man", in ( Isaiah 2:9 ) . And though not many, yet some of this sort are called by grace; and all of them have a peculiar concern in many things spoken of in this psalm; see ( Psalms 49:12 Psalms 49:16 Psalms 49:17 Psalms 49:20 ) ;

rich and poor together:
these are called upon to hearken to what is after said, that the one may not be elated with and trust in their riches, and that the other may not be dejected on account of their poverty; and seeing both must die, and meet together at the judgment day; and inasmuch as the Gospel is preached to one as to another; and for the most part the poor hear it, receive it, and are called by it.

Psalms 49:2 In-Context

1 Hear this, all you nations. Listen, all you who live in this world.
2 Listen, ordinary and important people alike. Listen, those of you who are rich or poor.
3 My mouth will speak wise words. What I say from my heart will give understanding.
4 I will pay attention to a proverb. I will explain my riddle as I play the harp.
5 Why should I be afraid when trouble comes? Why should I fear when sinners are all around me? They are the kind of people who want to take advantage of me.
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