Psalms 49:7-17

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.

11 Their inward thought is that their houses are eternal and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

12 Nevertheless man will not abide forever in honour; he is like the beasts that are cut off.

13 This their way is their folly; yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

14 Like sheep they are laid in Sheol; death shall feed on them, and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, and their beauty shall be consumed in the grave from their dwelling.

15 Surely God will ransom my soul from the hand of Sheol when he shall take me. Selah.

16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

17 for in his death he shall carry nothing away; nor shall his glory descend after him.

Psalms 49:7-17 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.