Read Psalms chapter 49 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
Psalms 49 is part of “Book II: The Exodus Book” (42–72) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 49 summary
This psalm is a sermon, and so is the next. In most of the psalms we have the penman praying or praising; in these we have him preaching; and it is our duty, in singing psalms, to teach and admonish ourselves and one another. The scope and design of this discourse is to convince the men of this world of their sin and folly in setting their hearts upon the things of this world, and so to persuade them to seek the things of a better world; as also to comfort the people of God, in reference to their own troubles and the grief that arises from the prosperity of the wicked. I. In the preface he proposes to awaken worldly people out of their security (Psa 49:1-3) and to comfort himself and other godly people in a day of distress (Psa 49:4, Psa 49:5). II. In the rest of the psalm, 1. He endeavours to convince sinners of their folly in doting upon the wealth of this world, by showing them (1.) That they cannot, with all their wealth, save their friends from death (Psa 49:6-9). (2.) They cannot save themselves from death (Psa 49:10). (3.) They cannot secure to themselves a happiness in this world (Psa 49:11, Psa 49:12). Much less, (4.) Can they secure to themselves a happiness in the other world (Psa 49:14). 2. He endeavours to comfort himself and other good people, (1.) Against the fear of death (Psa 49:15). (2.) Against the fear of the prospering power of wicked people (Psa 49:16-20). In singing this psalm let us receive these instructions, and be wise.
To the chief musician. A psalm for the sons of Korah.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. Hear this, all you peoples. Listen, all you inhabitants of the world,
2 both low and high, rich and poor together.
3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart will utter understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb. I will solve my riddle on the harp.
5 Why should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
6 Those who trust in their wealth, and boast in the multitude of their riches—
7 none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him.
8 For the redemption of their life is costly, no payment is ever enough,
9 that he should live on forever, that he should not see corruption.
10 For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless perish, and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inward thought is that their houses will endure forever, and their dwelling places to all generations. They name their lands after themselves.
12 But man, despite his riches, doesn’t endure. He is like the animals that perish.
13 This is the destiny of those who are foolish, and of those who approve their sayings. Selah.
14 They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, far from their mansion.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah.
16 Don’t be afraid when a man is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
17 for when he dies he will carry nothing away. His glory won’t descend after him.
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul— and men praise you when you do well for yourself—
19 he shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light.
20 A man who has riches without understanding, is like the animals that perish.