Psalm 49:7 NIV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 49:7

(7) None of them can.—Brother is here used in the wide sense of Leviticus 19:17, Genesis 13:11 (where rendered “the one”). The sense is the same whether we make it nominative or accusative. Death is the debt which all owe, and which each must pay for himself. No wealth can buy a man off. God, in whose hand are the issues of life and death, is not to be bribed; nor, as the next verse says, even if the arrangement were possible, would any wealth be sufficient. 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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

Psalms 49:1-20THIS psalm touches the high-water mark of Old Testament faith in a future life; and in that respect, as well as in its application of that faith to alleviate the mystery of present inequalities and non-correspondence of desert with condition, is closely related to the noble Psalms 73:1-28, with Which it has also several verbal identities. Both have the same problem before them-to construct a theodicy, or "to vindicate the ways of God to man"-and both solve it in the same fashion.... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 49:1-20

Psalms 49:0 Retrospects and Meditations 1. Hear this, all ye peoples! (Psalms 49:1-4 ) 2. His message of retrospect and encouragement (Psalms 49:5-20 ) If such is the outcome and the goal of the purposes of God concerning His people, why should they fear in the days of evil, which precede the coming glory? The ungodly will pass away no matter how great their riches are, nor can they redeem themselves; their way is folly; like sheep they are laid in the grave and death feeds on them. But... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

Psalms 38:0 An appeal to God from chastisement because of iniquity (Psalms 38:1-4 ). The mental anguish is described in figures of physical disease, and yet it is not impossible that such disease may have been part of the chastisement (Psalms 38:5-8 ). The desertion of friends and the opposition of enemies also entered into it (Psalms 38:10-17 ). There are verses susceptible of an application to Christ, but others would prevent its application as a whole to him. Psalms 40:0 Messianic (compare... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 49:7

"Handfuls of Purpose" For All Gleaners "None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him." Psa 49:7 The subject is limitations of influence or power, even under the most favourable conditions. Here we have a brother dying; he is surrounded by rich relations; they would gladly redeem him or give a ransom for him, and yet all their generous thought and all their hoarded wealth go for nothing. There is a point at which even love stops, and sacrifice can go no... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 49:6-7

These words are very plain, and speak a truth which every day's experience in the world proves. Every rich man that dies manifests a new testimony, that death is not to be bribed. Neither can one rich man stop the progress of death for his brother. But, doth not this very statement of the inability of riches among rich brethren to redeem each other, seem to point to one who became the brother of the poor in this world, who are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, on purpose to redeem them?... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:7

Testify. I will require thee to speak the truth, and attest the world, Psalm lxxx. 9. (Calmet) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:6-14

6-14 Here is a description of the spirit and way of worldly people. A man may have wealth, and may have his heart enlarged in love, thankfulness, and obedience, and may do good with it. Therefore it is not men's having riches that proves them to be worldly, but their setting their hearts upon them as the best things. Worldly men have only some floating thoughts of the things of God, while their fixed thoughts, their inward thoughts, are about the world; that lies nearest the heart. But with all... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 49:1-20

Of the Vanity of Earthly Goods. To the chief musician, for use in liturgical worship, a psalm for the sons of Korah, a hymn of instruction and consolation written by a member of the family of Korah, to show that mere earthly advantages do not bring lasting good fortune. v. 1. Hear this, all ye people, a solemn call for the most careful attention; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world, all those living in this present time, in this age, which will soon pass away; v. 2. both low and... read more