Psalms 49:1-9

1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

2 both low and high, rich and poor together!

3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.

5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,

6 men who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?

7 Truly no man can ransom himself, or give to God the price of his life,

8 for the ransom of his life is costly, and can never suffice,

9 that he should continue to live on for ever, and never see the Pit.

Psalms 49:1-9 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.