What a close is here made to the rich man's pomp! How terrible is death to all such characters! Wherein doth he differ from the brutes that perish? A mere animal life was all that belonged to both: and the worm that feeds on such carcasses will only value that which is most corrupt. Asaph, hath drawn another similar representation of wretchedness, Psalms 73:17-20 . read more
Sinner. He is not blamed for praying: but his hypocrisy is condemned. (Berthier) --- The world is full of such hypocrites, who have God in their mouths, but not in their hearts, and whose voice alone is the voice of Jacob, Genesis xxvii. 22., Isaias xxix. 13., and Titus i. 16. --- The wicked judges, who condemned Susanna, (Daniel xiii.) should have attended to these lessons. (Calmet) --- Thou that teachest another, teachest not thyself, Romans ii. 21. --- It is surely to be expected, (Haydock)... read more
15-20 Believers should not fear death. The distinction of men's outward conditions, how great soever in life, makes none at death; but the difference of men's spiritual states, though in this life it may seem of small account, yet at and after death is very great. The soul is often put for the life. The God of life, who was its Creator at first, can and will be its Redeemer at last. It includes the salvation of the soul from eternal ruin. Believers will be under strong temptation to envy the... read more
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
Psalms 49:0To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah Hear this, all ye people;Give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:2 Both low and high,Rich and poor, together.3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom;And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.4 I will incline mine ear to a parable:I will open my dark saying upon the harp.5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil,When the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?6 They that trust in their... read more
the Folly of Trusting in Riches Psalms 49:1-20 Here is a proclamation worthy of the hearing of all the world. The psalmist is listening to voices unheard by ordinary ears. Be sure to listen to God’s voice, and then unfold His dark sayings in music. However dark they may seem in their mystery and awe, they may be uttered in song. See Revelation 15:3-4 . The burden of the psalm is the impotence of wealth. The millionaire cannot prolong the life of his sick child. And even if, like Queen... read more
This is the song of a principle, and the psalmist commences by calling peoples of all castes and classes to give attention. It denies the power of material wealth, and a5rms that of uprightness. There are two things which wealth cannot do. It can neither help a man to escape death, nor can it ensure the life of the one possessing it. The passion of the heart for immortality is manifest in the building of houses and the naming of the land. It is all useless. Man is no more able to secure... read more
SUCCESS‘For while he lived, he counted himself an happy man: and so long as thou doest well unto thyself, men will speak good of thee.’Psalms 49:18 (Prayer Book Version)‘Nothing succeeds like success’ is a proverb invented by a famous man of the world, and of the truth of it from the world’s point of view there is no denying. I. The uncertainty of success.—In our text we have first the fact, and secondly, the motive of that success which is of the earth earthy. Its motive is selfishness,... read more
The Upright Are Not Therefore To Be Concerned About The Way That The Rich Seem To Flourish, For In The End The Rich Who Do Not Have True Understanding Will Simply Perish Like The Beasts (Psalms 49:16-20 ). The Psalm ends with the assurance that there is no need to fear, or be puzzled, when the rich flourish and increase in wealth and glory, and lord it over men, because when those who lack true understanding die they will take nothing with them. They will no longer be rich. Their glory will... read more
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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