Psalms 49:20

20 People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.

Psalms 49:20 in Other Translations

20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

20 Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

20 People who boast of their wealth don’t understand; they will die, just like animals.

20 We aren't immortal. We don't last long. Like our dogs, we age and weaken. And die.

20 Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, Is like the beasts that perish.

20 Mortals, with what they treasure, still don't have understanding. They are like animals that die.

20 A man with valuable possessions but without understanding is like the animals that perish.

20 People who have riches but don't understand are like the animals. They die.

Psalms 49:20 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 49:20

Man [that is] in honour
A wicked man, as the Targum; (See Gill on Psalms 49:12);

and understandeth not;
from whence his riches and honour, come, and what use he should make of them, and for what end he has them; or that understandeth not spiritual things, which relate to the salvation of his soul; who does not know God in Christ, nor the way of salvation by Christ; nor has any experience of the work of the Spirit of God upon his soul; nor has any spiritual understanding of the doctrines of the Gospel; nor knows himself, his state and condition, and what true happiness is:

is like the beasts [that] perish; (See Gill on Psalms 49:12).

Psalms 49:20 In-Context

18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed— and people praise you when you prosper—

19 they will join those who have gone before them, who will never again see the light of life.

20 People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.

Cross References

• 1. Proverbs 16:16
• 2. S ver 12; Ecclesiastes 3:19