Psalms 49:10-15

10 For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others.
11 Their tombs will remain their houses[a] forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had[b] named lands after themselves.
12 People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings.[c]
14 They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions.
15 But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.

Psalms 49:10-15 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. Ecclesiastes 2:16
  • 2. Psalms 92:6; Psalms 94:8
  • 3. S Job 27:17
  • 4. Ecclesiastes 2:18,21; Luke 12:20
  • 5. Mark 5:3; Luke 8:27
  • 6. Psalms 106:31
  • 7. Genesis 4:17; S Deuteronomy 3:14
  • 8. S Job 14:2
  • 9. ver 20; 2 Peter 2:12
  • 10. Luke 12:20
  • 11. Jeremiah 43:11; Ezekiel 31:14
  • 12. Numbers 16:30; S Job 21:13; Job 24:19; Psalms 9:17; Psalms 55:15
  • 13. Isaiah 14:2; Daniel 7:18; Malachi 4:3; 1 Corinthians 6:2; Revelation 2:26
  • 14. Psalms 56:13; Hosea 13:14
  • 15. S Genesis 5:24; Psalms 73:24

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew "In their thoughts their houses will remain"
  • [b]. Or "generations," / "for they have"
  • [c]. The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 15.
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