Psalms 49:3-13

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

4 I will incline my ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, [when] the iniquity of my heels shall encompass me?

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

7 None [of them] can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

8 (For the redemption of their soul [is] precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

9 That he should still live for ever, [and] not see corruption.

10 For he seeth [that] wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their inward thought [is], [that] their houses [shall continue] for ever, [and] their dwelling places to all generations; they call [their] lands after their own names.

12 Nevertheless man [being] in honor abideth not: he is like the beasts [that] perish.

13 This their way [is] their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

Psalms 49:3-13 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.