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Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 49:6-9

Psalms 49:6-9. They, &c. The psalmist, having said that good men had no sufficient cause of fear on account of what they might suffer from ungodly men, now proceeds to show that the ungodly had no reason to be secure because of their riches. That trust in their wealth As that which can secure them from calamities. None of them can redeem Either from the first or second death; his brother Whom he would do his utmost to preserve, nor consequently himself; nor give to God The only... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

Psalms 49:0 When rich and poor face deathRich and poor alike are asked to listen as the psalmist deals with a problem of life that concerns them both (1-4). The godly have no need to be anxious when the wealthy and powerful oppose them. After all, the wealthy cannot give their money to God to stop them from dying. Money cannot buy the right to live for ever. The wealthy also must die (5-9). Whether people be wise or foolish, rich or poor, they are no better off than the beasts when it comes to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 49:9

That, &c. Connect this with the end of Psalms 49:7 . still live for ever = live on continually. corruption. Hebrew. sahath = destruction (with Art.): i.e. in the grave. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 49:9

MORE THINGS WEALTH CANNOT DO"That he should still live always.That he should not see corruption.For he shall see it. Wise men die;The fool and the brutish alike perish,And leave their wealth to others.Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue forever,And their dwelling-places to all generations;They call their lands after their own name.But man being in honor abideth not:He is like the beasts that perish."In addition to the things mentioned above which riches cannot do, there... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:9

9. corruption—literally, "pit," or, "grave," thus showing that "soul" is used for "life" [ :-]. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 49:1-20

Psalms 49The writer reflected on the problem that the prosperity of the wicked poses in this wisdom psalm (cf. Psalms 73). He observed that there are many ungodly people who enjoy many physical blessings. Still, he concluded that the righteous are better off because they have a sure hope for the future."The psalm is an encouragement to the godly who are haunted by the power and influence of the rich." [Note: VanGemeren, p. 366. See also Brueggemann, pp. 106-10.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 49:7-9

Material wealth cannot prevent death. No one has enough money to buy life back when God claims it in death. The point here is that we cannot buy our way, or anyone else’s way, out of dying. The psalmist was not speaking of purchasing eternal salvation here. That comes later in Psalms 49:15 (cf. Matthew 20:28). read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:1-20

There is little to fix the date of this Ps. The writer moralises, in the fashion of the book of Proverbs, on the vanity of wealth and honour apart from understanding. The rich man cannot deliver his friends or himself from death, and his prosperity need cause no dismay to those who are less fortunate in this world. The upright, among whom the Psalmist counts himself, will be received by God, and thus made superior to the power of death. Psalms 49:12, Psalms 49:20 form, by their similarity, a... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 49:9

(9) That—i.e., in order that; introducing the purpose of the imagined ransom in Psalms 49:7. Others connect it consecutively with Psalms 49:8, “He must give up for ever the hope of living for ever.” read more

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