Psalm 49

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:16

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich ,.... Who before was poor, or not so rich; but now become so, either by inheritance, or by his own diligence and industry, through the permission of Providence. This is to be understood, not of a good man, from whom oppression is not to be feared; but it may be hoped he will do good with his riches, by relieving the poor, and ministering to the support of the interest of religion, and using what power and authority he may have in defence of it: but it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:17

For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away ,.... Such men, with all their riches and honour, must die; therefore why should men be afraid of them? or wherein are they to be accounted of, whose breath is in their nostrils? nor can they carry either of them with them; their riches will be of no profit to them after death, when they will be upon a level with the poor, who will have nothing to fear from them; see 1 Timothy 6:7 ; his glory shall not descend after him ; either into the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:18

Though while he lived he blessed his soul ,.... Praised and extolled himself on account of his acquisitions and merit; or proclaimed himself a happy man, because of his wealth and riches; or foolishly flattered himself with peace, prosperity, and length of days, and even with honour and glory after death; and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself ; or "but F11 ויודך "atque celebraverint te", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. men will praise thee", &c.; both... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:19

He shall go to the generation of his fathers ,.... Be gathered to them at death; or "to the dwelling place of his fathers" F13 עד־דור "ad habitationem", Gejerus. ; either the grave, or hell, or both; the habitation of his wicked ancestors: unless the words be rendered, as they are by some, though "he shall come to the age of his fathers" F14 "Usque ad aetatem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ; live as long as they have done; yet he must die at last, and leave all behind, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:20

Man that is in honour ,.... A wicked man, as the Targum; See Gill on Psalm 49:12 ; and understandeth not ; from whence his riches and honour, come, and what use he should make of them, and for what end he has them; or that understandeth not spiritual things, which relate to the salvation of his soul; who does not know God in Christ, nor the way of salvation by Christ; nor has any experience of the work of the Spirit of God upon his soul; nor has any spiritual understanding of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49

All men are invited to attend to lessons of wisdom relative to the insufficiency of earthly good to save or prolong life; to secure the resurrection from the dead, Psalm 49:1-9 . Death is inevitable, Psalm 49:10 . The vain expectations of rich men, Psalm 49:11-13 . Death renders all alike, Psalm 49:14 . The psalmist encourages and fortifies himself against envying the apparently prosperous state of the wicked, who are brutish, and die like beasts, Psalm 49:15-20 . The title, To the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:1

Hear this, all ye people - The four first verses contain the author's exordium or introduction, delivered in a very pompous style and promising the deepest lessons of wisdom and instruction. But what was rare then is common-place now. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:4

I will incline mine ear to a parable - This was the general method of conveying instruction among the Asiatics. They used much figure and metaphor to induce the reader to study deeply in order to find out the meaning. This had its use; it obliged men to think and reflect deeply; and thus in some measure taught them the use, government, and management of their minds. My dark saying upon the harp - Music was sometimes used to soothe the animal spirits, and thus prepare the mind for the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:5

The iniquity of my heels - Perhaps עקבי akebai , which we translate my heels, should be considered the contracted plural of עקבים akebim , supplanters. The verse would then read thus: "Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, though the iniquity of my supplanters should compass me about." The Syriac and Arabic have taken a similar view of the passage: "Why should I fear in the evil day, when the iniquity of my enemies compasses me about." And so Dr. Kennicott translates it. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:7

Sone of them can by any means redeem his brother - Wealth cannot save from death; brother, however rich, cannot save his brother; nor will God accept riches as a ransom for the life or soul of any transgressor. To procure health of body, peace of mind, redemption from death, and eternal glory, riches are sought for and applied in vain. read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:7

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