Psalms 49:17

17 For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.

Psalms 49:17 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 49:17

For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away
Such men, with all their riches and honour, must die; therefore why should men be afraid of them? or wherein are they to be accounted of, whose breath is in their nostrils? nor can they carry either of them with them; their riches will be of no profit to them after death, when they will be upon a level with the poor, who will have nothing to fear from them; see ( 1 Timothy 6:7 ) ;

his glory shall not descend after him;
either into the grave, the pit of corruption, the lower part of the earth, where kings, princes, counsellors, and peasants, are all alike, ( Job 3:14 Job 3:15 Job 3:19 ) ; or into hell, where are no titles of honour, nor respect of persons; no Pharaoh king of Egypt, or Sennacherib king of Assyria, there; but plain Pharaoh see ( Ezekiel 32:31 Ezekiel 32:32 ) .

Psalms 49:17 In-Context

15 But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. Interlude

16 So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid.

17 For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.

18 In this life they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success.

19 But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day.