Psalms 49:12-20

12 And man in honour doth not remain, He hath been like the beasts, they have been cut off.

13 This their way [is] folly for them, And their posterity with their sayings are pleased. Selah.

14 As sheep for Sheol they have set themselves, Death doth afflict them, And the upright rule over them in the morning, And their form [is] for consumption. Sheol [is] a dwelling for him.

15 Only, God doth ransom my soul from the hand of Sheol, For He doth receive me. Selah.

16 Fear not, when one maketh wealth, When the honour of his house is abundant,

17 For at his death he receiveth nothing, His honour goeth not down after him.

18 For his soul in his life he blesseth, (And they praise thee when thou dost well for thyself.)

19 It cometh to the generation of his fathers, For ever they see not the light.

20 Man in honour, who understandest not, Hath been like the beasts, they have been cut off!

Psalms 49:12-20 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.