Psalm 49:7-8 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:5-15

The prelude, or introduction, being over, the substance of the "dark saying" is now brought forth. The problem is propounded. On the one hand are the righteous, fallen upon evil days, surrounded by treacherous foes, ever on the watch to do them a mischief ( Psalms 49:5 ); on the other are the wicked, "trusting in their wealth, and boasting themselves in the multitude of their riches" ( Psalms 49:6 ), so opulent that they build houses which they expect to "continue for ever" and proprietors... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:7

None of them can by any means redeem his brother. The text is suspected. If we read אַךְ for אָה , with Ewald and Professor Cheyne, the right translation will be, Nevertheless , no man can by any means redeem himself. With all his boasting, the rich man cannot effect his own redemption; nor, however great his wealth, can he give to God a ransom for him; i.e. for himself. "Brother" is not used in the Psalms in the sense of "fellow-man," but only in the literal sense of close... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:8

For the redemption of their soul is precious ; or, costly — too costly, i.e; for them, however rich they may be, to be able to effect it (comp. Job 36:18 , Job 36:19 ). And it ceaseth for ever; rather, and one must let that aloes for ever (Cheyne, Kay, Hengstenberg, Revised Version). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:8

Infinite redemption. "The redemption," etc. The same astonishing spectacle presents itself to this unknown psalmist which so sorely perplexed his brother psalmist, Asaph—"the prosperity of the wicked." But instead of being "envious at the foolish," or finding a painful enigma in their wealth and pride, he summons men of all lands—rich or poor, high or lowly—to listen while he "opens his dark saying," expounds the riddle. The world's pageant is transparent to the prophet's eye. Behind it ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:7

None of them can bid any means redeem his brother - None of those who are rich. This verse might be literally rendered, “a brother cannot by redeeming redeem; a man cannot give to God his own ransom.” The passage, therefore, may mean either, as in our version, that no one, however rich, can redeem a brother - his own brother - by his wealth; or, that a brother - one who sustains the relation of a brother - cannot rescue another from death. On the word “redeem,” see Psalms 25:22, note; Isaiah... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:8

For the redemption of their soul is precious - The word “soul” here means “life,” and not the immortal part. The only question which the psalmist here considers is the value of wealth in preserving “life,” or in saving man from the grave. The phrase, ““their” soul,” refers doubtless to the man and his brother, as alluded to in the previous verse. The idea is that neither can the man of wealth ransom his own life from the grave, nor the life of his brother. Wealth can save neither of them. The... read more

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 49:7

None = no man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 . by any means redeem. Hebrew Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ) = "redeeming will redeem". redeem = deliver by power. Hebrew. padah. See notes on Exodus 6:6 with Exodus 13:13 . his brother. Some codices read "surely" instead of "a brother". In this case the two lines read, "Surely no man (Hebrew. 'ish) can redeem, nor give to God atonement for himself". God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . a ransom = atonement. Hebrew. kapher. See Genesis 6:14... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 49:8

redemption = Hebrew. padah , as "redeem", in Psalms 49:7 . their soul = them. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . precious = costly, or, so costly is it that, &c. it = the redemption of themselves. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:5-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:8

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

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 49:7

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 49:8

Group of Brands