The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:2
Both high and low, rich and poor, together. The teaching of the psalm concerns all ranks alike. To the great and rich it will carry warning; to the poor and lowly, consolation. read more
Psalm 49
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:3
My mouth shall speak of wisdom (comp. Job 33:3 , Job 33:4 ). It is not his own "wisdom" that the psalmist is about to utter, but a wisdom communicated to him from without, to which he has "to incline his ear" ( Psalms 49:4 ). And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding ; or, of discernment (Kay). read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:4
I will incline mine ear to a parable. The psalmist is "like a minstrel who has to play a piece of music put into his hands. The strain is none of his own devising; and as he proceeds, each note awakes in him a mysterious echo, which he would fain catch and retain in memory" (Kay). A " parable " in the Old Testament means any enigmatical or dark saying, into which much metaphor or imagery is introduced, so that it is only φωνᾶν συνετοῖσι . I will open my dark saying upon the harp; ... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:5
Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil? i.e. have I reason to fear, or may I trust in God's protection? Are, or are not, the righteous under his care? When the iniquity of my heels; rather, of my supplanters —of those that would trip me up. Shall compass me about ; i.e. surround me, lie in wait for me on every side (comp. Psalms 17:10-12 ). read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
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 49:6
They that trust in their wealth ; rather, even of them that trust in their wealth. The sense runs on from the preceding verse (so Hengstenberg and Professor Cheyne). And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches . Such men are always persecutors of the righteous. They are worldly, carnal, godless. 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
Subscribe
Verse of the Day
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Daily Devotional
Subscribe to receive daily devotionals to help you grow in faith and walk closer with God.
Read on Mobile
Most Searched
Group of Brands
© 2026 Bibleportal.com All rights reserved.
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