Psalm 49:9

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

Psalm 49:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 49:9

That he should still live for ever
Or "though he should live" ^F23. Though the rich man should live ever so long, a thousand years twice told, as in ( Ecclesiastes 6:6 ) ; yet he could not in all this time, with all his riches, redeem his brother; and at last must die himself, and so must his brother too, as his own experience and observation may assure him, ( Psalms 49:10 ) . Or the meaning is, he cannot so redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him, that he should live a corporeal life for ever, and never die; since all men die, wise men and fools, rich and poor; and much less that he should live and enjoy an "eternal life", as the Targum; a life of happiness and bliss hereafter, which is not to be obtained by gold and silver, but is the pure gift of God;

[and] not see corruption;
the grave, the pit of corruption, the house appointed for all living: or "the judgment of hell", according to the Chaldee paraphrase.

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 (yhyw) "etiamsi vivat", Gejerus.

Psalm 49:9 In-Context

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.