Psalm 49:15-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 49:15-20

Good reason is here given to good people, I. Why they should not be afraid of death. There is no cause for that fear if they have such a comfortable prospect as David here has of a happy state on the other side death, Ps. 49:15. He had shown (Ps. 49:14) how miserable the dead are that die in their sins, where he shows how blessed the dead are that die in the Lord. The distinction of men's outward condition, how great a difference soever it makes in life, makes none at death; rich and poor meet... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:15

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave ,.... The psalmist expresses his faith, that though he should die, and for a while be under the power of the grave, yet he should be redeemed from it in the resurrection; which to the saints will be "the day of redemption", Ephesians 4:30 ; their bodies then will be redeemed from mortality, weakness, corruption, and dishonour, which attend them now, and in the grave; and which will, be in consequence of the redemption both of their... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:16

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich ,.... Who before was poor, or not so rich; but now become so, either by inheritance, or by his own diligence and industry, through the permission of Providence. This is to be understood, not of a good man, from whom oppression is not to be feared; but it may be hoped he will do good with his riches, by relieving the poor, and ministering to the support of the interest of religion, and using what power and authority he may have in defence of it: but it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:17

For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away ,.... Such men, with all their riches and honour, must die; therefore why should men be afraid of them? or wherein are they to be accounted of, whose breath is in their nostrils? nor can they carry either of them with them; their riches will be of no profit to them after death, when they will be upon a level with the poor, who will have nothing to fear from them; see 1 Timothy 6:7 ; his glory shall not descend after him ; either into the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:18

Though while he lived he blessed his soul ,.... Praised and extolled himself on account of his acquisitions and merit; or proclaimed himself a happy man, because of his wealth and riches; or foolishly flattered himself with peace, prosperity, and length of days, and even with honour and glory after death; and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself ; or "but F11 ויודך "atque celebraverint te", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. men will praise thee", &c.; both... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:19

He shall go to the generation of his fathers ,.... Be gathered to them at death; or "to the dwelling place of his fathers" F13 עד־דור "ad habitationem", Gejerus. ; either the grave, or hell, or both; the habitation of his wicked ancestors: unless the words be rendered, as they are by some, though "he shall come to the age of his fathers" F14 "Usque ad aetatem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ; live as long as they have done; yet he must die at last, and leave all behind, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:20

Man that is in honour ,.... A wicked man, as the Targum; See Gill on Psalm 49:12 ; and understandeth not ; from whence his riches and honour, come, and what use he should make of them, and for what end he has them; or that understandeth not spiritual things, which relate to the salvation of his soul; who does not know God in Christ, nor the way of salvation by Christ; nor has any experience of the work of the Spirit of God upon his soul; nor has any spiritual understanding of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:15

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave - שאול מיד miyad sheol , "from the hand of sheol." That is, by the plainest construction, I shall have a resurrection from the dead, and an entrance into his glory; and death shall have no dominion over me. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:16

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich - Do not be envious; do not grieve: it will do you no harm; it will do him no good. All he gets will be left behind; he can carry nothing with him. Even his glory must stay behind; he shall mingle with the common earth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:18

He blessed his soul - He did all he could to procure himself animal gratifications, and he was applauded for it; for it is the custom of the world to praise them who pay most attention to their secular interest; and he who attends most to the concerns of his soul is deemed weak and foolish, and is often persecuted by an ungodly world. read more

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