Psalm 49

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:17

For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away . Nothing in the way of earthly possessions—nothing but the qualities which he has imprinted on his soul, and made part and parcel of himself. The heathen nations, foolishly, were accustomed to bury clothes, and arms, and vessels, and stores of gold with the departed, as though they could take these with them into the other world. The writer of the psalm, and those whom he addressed, were equally aware of the foolishness of such customs. His... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:18

Though while he lived he blessed his soul (comp. Psalms 10:3 ; Luke 12:19 ). He thought himself happy, and congratulated himself on his good fortune. And men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself . A parenthetic remark. Not only do such men congratulate themselves, but the world's applause follows on them. So long as they are well-to-do, and keep themselves in the forefront of the battle of life, they will have "honour, reverence, and troops of friends," who will admire... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:19

He shall go to the generation of his fathers . In the Hebrew it is "thou shalt go," or "it (the soul) shall go;" but the meaning is well expressed by the Authorized Version. However much the wicked man delights in his life, and clings to it, nevertheless he has to die ( Psalms 49:10 ), to join the "generations of his fathers," to go where they have gone before him. And, once in Sheol ( Psalms 49:14 ), they shall never see light . God will redeem the soul of the righteous from the power... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:20

Man that is in honour, and under. standeth not, is like the beasts that perish . In Psalms 49:12 the writer had said of all men, that they are "like the beasts that perish," which is true in one sense; i.e. in reference to this life. Now, having taken a loftier flight, and embraced in his mental vision the whole life of man, he makes an important qualification of what he had said. All men die; but only those who are "without understanding" die without hope—"like the beasts:" for others... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49

The title to this psalm is the same essentially as the title to Psalms 42:1-11; Psalms 44:0; Psalms 45:0; Psalms 46:1-11; Psalms 47:1-9. On the meaning of the terms occurring in the title, see the notes at the title to Psalms 42:1-11.The “author” of the psalm is unknown. There is no evidence that it was composed by David; and, in fact, the presumption is that he was not the author, as his name is not prefixed to it.It is, of course, impossible to ascertain the “occasion” on which it was... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:1

Hear this, all ye people - That is, What I am about; to utter is worthy of universal attention; it pertains equally to all mankind. The psalmist; therefore calls on all the nations to attend to what he is about to say. Compare the notes at Isaiah 1:2.Give ear - Incline your ear; attend. Compare the notes at Psalms 17:6. See also Isaiah 37:17; Isaiah 55:3; Daniel 9:18; Proverbs 2:2.All ye inhabitants of the world - The truth to be declared does not pertain exclusively to any one nation, or any... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:2

Both low and high - Those alike of humble and those of exalted rank, for it pertains equally to all. On the meaning of the “terms” employed here, see the notes at Isaiah 2:9. These truths pertained to the “low;” that is, to those of humble rank, as teaching them not to envy the rich, and not to fear their power; and they pertained to those of exalted rank, as teaching them not to trust in their riches, and not to suppose that they could permanently possess and enjoy them.Rich and poor together... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:3

My mouth shall speak of wisdom - That is, I will utter sentiments that are wise, or that are of importance to all; sentiments that will enable all to take a just view of the subject on which I speak. This indicates “confidence” in what he was about to utter, as being eminently deserving of attention.And the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding - What I reflect on, and what I give utterance to, in the matter under consideration. The idea is, that he had meditated on the subject, as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:4

I will incline mine ear to a parable - The phrase “I will incline mine ear” means that he would listen or attend to - as we incline our ear toward those whom we are anxious to hear, or in the direction from which a sound seems to come. Compare Psalms 5:1; Psalms 17:1; Psalms 39:12; Isaiah 1:2. On the word rendered “parable” here משׁל mâshâl - see the notes at Isaiah 14:4. Compare Job 13:12, note; Job 27:1, note. The word properly means similitude; then, a sentence, sententious saying,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:5

Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil - This verse is designed evidently to state the main subject of the psalm; the result of the reflections of the author on what had been to him a source of perplexity; on what had seemed to him to be a dark problem. He “had” evidently felt that there was occasion to dread the power of wicked rich men; but he now felt that he had no ground for that fear and alarm. He saw that their power was short-lived; that all the ability to injure, arising from... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:18

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:1

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:5

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