The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20
Metrically, the composition divides itself into three portions: read more
Psalm 49:17-20 Asv
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20
A dark saying: wealth in bad hands. The author and the date of this psalm are alike unknown. There are, however, matters concerning it of much more importance, which we do know. One of these is that the writer was a believer in God; and that while the dark problems of life perplexed him, as they do and have done so many others, he saw light above and beyond them. Another is that in this psalm we have the words of one who had "inclined his ear" to hear what the great Speaker would say unto... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20
A contrast: unseen wealth. To those whose character and outlook are depicted in the bulk of this psalm its writer did not belong. He looks on them; he writes of them; but he is not one with them. The emphatic and striking word "but" ( Psalms 49:15 ) indicates what the context shows, that there is a great gulf between him and them. While the wicked ones who are rolling in wealth despise him because of his distance from them on the ground of earthly poverty, he, on the other hand, looks... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20
Be not afraid. I. THE PREACHER , ( Psalms 49:3 , Psalms 49:4 .) He is marked by thoughtfulness. He lends his ear in many a secret place to learn wisdom. His inspiration is from above, and he does not speak of himself, but as moved by Divine impulses. What he has gathered by long meditation and experience he gives forth freely for the good of others. His ambition is to make the dark clear, to discern between good and evil, to strip falsehood of its disguises, and to set forth the... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20
The issues of life. Connected with Psalms 16:1-11 ; Psalms 17:1-15 ; the writer stands face to face with the great problem of the time—the prosperity of the wicked. The two chief causes which forced the conviction of a hereafter on the later Hebrews were a deep dissatisfaction at the prosperity of the wicked and the misfortunes of the righteous in the world; and the earnest longing of the soul for a more perfect communion with God than was possible in the present life; for they could... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:16-20
The conclusion "repeats and confirms the general lessons of the psalm." Psalms 49:16 is a categorical answer to the doubt propounded in Psalms 49:5 . Psalms 49:17-19 are an echo of Psalms 49:14 , and at the same time a counterpoise to the views put forth in Psalms 49:6 , Psalms 49:11 . Psalms 49:20 is a repetition, but with an important modification, of Psalms 49:12 . read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:17
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away . Nothing in the way of earthly possessions—nothing but the qualities which he has imprinted on his soul, and made part and parcel of himself. The heathen nations, foolishly, were accustomed to bury clothes, and arms, and vessels, and stores of gold with the departed, as though they could take these with them into the other world. The writer of the psalm, and those whom he addressed, were equally aware of the foolishness of such customs. His... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:18
Though while he lived he blessed his soul (comp. Psalms 10:3 ; Luke 12:19 ). He thought himself happy, and congratulated himself on his good fortune. And men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself . A parenthetic remark. Not only do such men congratulate themselves, but the world's applause follows on them. So long as they are well-to-do, and keep themselves in the forefront of the battle of life, they will have "honour, reverence, and troops of friends," who will admire... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:19
He shall go to the generation of his fathers . In the Hebrew it is "thou shalt go," or "it (the soul) shall go;" but the meaning is well expressed by the Authorized Version. However much the wicked man delights in his life, and clings to it, nevertheless he has to die ( Psalms 49:10 ), to join the "generations of his fathers," to go where they have gone before him. And, once in Sheol ( Psalms 49:14 ), they shall never see light . God will redeem the soul of the righteous from the power... read more
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John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:20
Verse 20 20Man is in honor, and will not understand (237) Here the prophet, that he may not be understood as having represented the present life, which in itself is a singular blessing of God, as wholly contemptible, corrects himself as it were, or qualifies his former statements by a single word, importing that those whom he reprehends have reduced themselves to the level of the beasts that perish, by senselessly devouring the blessings which God has bestowed, and thus divesting themselves of... read more