Psalm 49

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:9

That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. This verse is to be closely connected with Psalms 49:7 , Psalms 49:8 being parenthetical It describes the effect which the payment of a ransom by the rich, were it possible, might be expected to have. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:10

For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish. The rich man must see that any hope of ransoming himself by means of his wealth, and so escaping death and the grave, is vain, since the law of mortality, which is in operation all around him, is universal. No one is redeemed from death, in the sense of escaping "the first death." Not only do "the fool and the brutish person" perish, but the fate of "the wise" is the same. All die; all quit the earth; all... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:11

Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling-places to all generations . Still, though they know this, the rich and worldly have an idea—an "inward thought"—which they cherish, that they can m a certain sense escape death by founding families and leaving to their children substantial houses, which will keep up the family reputation, and accumulating landed estates, to which they may affix their name, so keeping their memories alive to future ages. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:12

Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not . Against these" inward thoughts" and outward actions, the psalmist simply maintains the ground already taken ( Psalms 49:10 ): "Man, in whatever honour he may be, abideth not"—has but a short time to live. He is like the beasts that perish. He has no more continuance than many of the beasts; like them, he passes from earth. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:13

This their way is their folly ; or, their vain conceit (Kay). By "their way" must be understood the course of conduct described in Psalms 49:7-12 . Yet their posterity approve their sayings. Their descendants, or those who come after them, notwithstanding the foolishness of their course, adopt their principles and delight in them. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:14

Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them. With the foolish fancies and vain conceits of the ungodly rich men, the psalmist now contrasts the reality. When they die they are "laid in the grave," or "ranged in Hades" (Kay), as sheep in a sheepfold. There is no escape for them. Death is their shepherd; he keeps them, watches over them, tends them, allows none to quit the fold. And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning . When the resurrection morn... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:14

A vast change: in the morning. There have been several different views entertained of the state after death. The realm of departed seals was called by the Hebrews Sheol, or the all-demanding world; by the Greeks Hades, or the unknown world. Practically, either word may be used, since the two simply refer to the same realm looked at under different aspects. To the pagan, Sheol (or Hades) was a dim and grim underworld, with no light beyond. To the Hebrews, Sheol was a dim underworld, with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:15

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave . Here is the solution of the "dark saying," the key to the" parable." The souls of the righteous will be redeemed, not by themselves, but by God—they will be delivered "from the power of the grave," or rather of Hades; and, while the ungodly are held under by death and the grave ( Psalms 49:14 ), they will be released, and enter upon a higher life. For he shall receive me . As God "took Enoch," when he "was not" ( Genesis 4:24 ... 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

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:16-20

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