Psalms 49:1-10

1 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; and the meditation of my heart intelligence.

4 I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will declare my enigma upon the harp.

5 Why should I fear in the days of adversity when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

6 Those that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

7 none of them can by any means ransom his brother, nor give God an atonement for him;

8 (for the redemption of their soul is of great price, and they shall never pay it)

9 that he should still live for ever and not see corruption.

10 For he sees that all the wise men die, likewise the fool and the ignorant perish and leave their wealth to others.

Psalms 49:1-10 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.