Psalm 49:20 NLT,NIV,ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:20

Man that is in honour, and under. standeth not, is like the beasts that perish . In Psalms 49:12 the writer had said of all men, that they are "like the beasts that perish," which is true in one sense; i.e. in reference to this life. Now, having taken a loftier flight, and embraced in his mental vision the whole life of man, he makes an important qualification of what he had said. All men die; but only those who are "without understanding" die without hope—"like the beasts:" for others... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:20

Man that is in honor - Man that is in possession of wealth, or that occupies an exalted rank. See the notes at Psalms 49:12.And understandeth not - That is, who has no proper appreciation of what it is to be a man; of what is his true rank “as” a man; of his relations to God; of his condition as an immortal being - man that values himself only on the fact that he is rich; that lives for this world alone; that regards it as a sufficient distinction that he “is” rich; that degrades his nobler... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 49:20

Psalms 49:20. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not That is, hath not true wisdom to know and consider what he is, and what is his true business and interest in this world, and what use he ought to make of his life, and of all his riches, and honour, and power; and whither he is going, and what course he should take for the attainment of true and lasting happiness; is like the beasts that perish Though he hath the outward shape of a man, yet, in truth, he is a beast, a stupid and... 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

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:20

20. (Compare :-). The folly is more distinctly expressed by "understandeth not," substituted for "abideth not." 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 49:13-20

3. Encouragement to trust in God 49:13-20 read more

Thomas Constable

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

The psalmist repeated his concluding statement in the previous section (Psalms 49:12), but here he changed it slightly. Here he stressed the wicked person’s lack of understanding. There he stressed his lack of endurance.We who are believers should not envy the ungodly who prosper in this life. We should not feel inferior to them either. All that they are living for will perish with them. Those who fear God, however, can expect a glorious future with the Lord beyond the grave. [Note: See Daniel... 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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 49:1-20

Listening to God Psalms 49:4 In this Psalm the subject is the great and dark problem of Divine providence. The Psalmist tells us in his introduction that he will open the dark saying, the riddle on the harp. He pierces through the surface of things to declare the utter vanity of life without God. He tells us frankly that it is not by argument he arrives at this certitude but by inspiration. He has listened to the wisdom that is from above, and so has truth to declare. This is the attitude of a... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:20

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 49:20

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:20

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

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 49:13-20

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

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

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 49:1-20

Group of Brands