Psalms 49:11

11 Their tombs will remain their houses[a] forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had[b] named lands after themselves.

Psalms 49:11 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
11 Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names.
New Living Translation (NLT)
11 The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves,
The Message Bible (MSG)
11 They leave all their prowess behind, move into their new home, The Coffin, The cemetery their permanent address. And to think they named counties after themselves!
American Standard Version (ASV)
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.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
11 Although they named their lands after themselves, their graves have become their homes for ages to come, their dwelling places throughout every generation.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
11 Their graves are their eternal homes, their homes from generation to generation, though they have named estates after themselves.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
11 Their graves will remain their houses forever. Their graves will be their homes for all time to come. Naming lands after themselves won't help either.

Psalms 49:11 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 49:11

Their inward thought [is, that] their houses [shall continue]
for ever
This is the thought of their hearts, what they secretly imagine, and conclude within themselves; either that their families, which may be meant by their houses, see ( 2 Samuel 3:1 ) ; shall continue in succeeding ages, to the end of the world, to inherit their possessions, and perpetuate their name; though often so it is, that great families become extinct, and the seed of the wicked is cut off: or that their magnificent buildings, which they have erected to dwell in, and for their honour and glory, shall abide for ever; though in a little time, so it is by one means or another, like the buildings of the temple, not one stone is left upon another. Or the words may be rendered, "in the midst of them" (their heirs to whom they leave their wealth) "their houses shall remain for ever", so Aben Ezra; that is, so they fancy they will; but this is not always true, for fine houses and large estates belonging to them often pass into other hands and families. The word (Mbrq) , rendered "their inward part", by a transposition of two letters in it may be read (Mrbq) , "their graves", as Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melech observe; and to this sense the Targum, Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions render the words: and then the meaning is, that of all the houses they have built or been possessed of, they have only one left, and that is the grave; in which they shall dwell until the resurrection, and therefore is called "a long home", ( Ecclesiastes 12:5 ) ; see ( Job 17:13 ) ( 30:23 ) ;

[and] their dwelling places to all generations;
which signify the same as before;

they call their lands after their own names;
as Egypt was called Mizraim, Ethiopia was called Cush, and Palestine Canaan, from men who were the first possessors of them, ( Genesis 10:6 ) . Or "they proclaim their names throughout the land" F24; they seek to get a name, and spread and continue it in all part of the world; being unconcerned about their names being written in heaven, or about having a house not made with hands eternal there.


FOOTNOTES:

F24 So Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Psalms 49:11 In-Context

9 so that they should live on forever and not see decay.
10 For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others.
11 Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves.
12 People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Mark 5:3; Luke 8:27
  • 2. Psalms 106:31
  • 3. Genesis 4:17; S Deuteronomy 3:14

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Septuagint and Syriac; Hebrew "In their thoughts their houses will remain"
  • [b]. Or "generations," / "for they have"
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