Psalms 49:2

2 High and low together, the poor, and those who have wealth.

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 Give attention to this, all you peoples; let your ears be open, all you who are living in the world.
2 High and low together, the poor, and those who have wealth.
3 From my mouth will come words of wisdom; and in the thoughts of my heart will be knowledge.
4 I will put my teaching into a story; I will make my dark sayings clear with music.
5 What cause have I for fear in the days of evil, when the evil-doing of those who are working for my downfall is round about me?
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