psalm-49:16-18-web

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

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich (see Psalms 49:5 , Psalms 49:6 ). There is no ground for fear, nor even for perplexity, when the wicked grow rich and prosper. Their wealth will not ransom their souls ( Psalms 49:7-9 ). They cannot take it with them to another world ( Psalms 49:17 ). They will have no advantage from it there. On the contrary, their misery in another world will be such as to far outweigh any enjoyment which they may have had on earth ( Psalms 49:14 , Psalms... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:16

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich - Do not dread the power derived from wealth; do not fear anything which a man can do merely because he is rich. The original is, “when a “man” becomes rich.” The allusion is not necessarily to a bad man, though that is implied in the whole passage, since there is no reason for fearing a “good” man, whether he is rich or poor. The only thing that seems to have been apprehended in the mind of the psalmist was that power of doing injury to others, or of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:17

For when he dieth - He must die. His wealth cannot save him from the grave. It is always to be “assumed” of rich people, as of all other men, that they “will” have to die. The point is not one which is to be argued; not one about which there can be any doubt. Of all people, whatever else may be said of them, it may always be affirmed that they must die, and important inferences may be always drawn from that fact.He shall carry nothing away - It is not improbable that the apostle Paul had this... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:18

Though while he lived - Margin, as in Hebrew, “in his life.” More literally, “in his lives.” The idea is, as long as he lived.He blessed his soul - That is, he blessed himself; he congratulated himself; he regarded his condition as desirable and enviable. He “took airs” upon himself; he felt that his was a happy lot; he expected and demanded respect and honor from others on account of his wealth. He commended himself as having evinced sagacity in the means by which he acquired wealth - thus... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:16-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:18

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:17

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:18

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