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Matthew Henry

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 49:16

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:16

Verse 16 16Be not thou afraid The Psalmist repeats, in the form of an exhortation, the same sentiment which he had formerly expressed, that the children of God have no reason to dread the wealth and power of their enemies, or to envy their evanescent prosperity; and as the best preservative against despondency, he would have them to direct their eyes habitually to the end of life. The effect of such a contemplation will be at once to check any impatience we might be apt to feel under our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

Metrically, the composition divides itself into three portions: read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

A dark saying: wealth in bad hands. The author and the date of this psalm are alike unknown. There are, however, matters concerning it of much more importance, which we do know. One of these is that the writer was a believer in God; and that while the dark problems of life perplexed him, as they do and have done so many others, he saw light above and beyond them. Another is that in this psalm we have the words of one who had "inclined his ear" to hear what the great Speaker would say unto... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

A contrast: unseen wealth. To those whose character and outlook are depicted in the bulk of this psalm its writer did not belong. He looks on them; he writes of them; but he is not one with them. The emphatic and striking word "but" ( Psalms 49:15 ) indicates what the context shows, that there is a great gulf between him and them. While the wicked ones who are rolling in wealth despise him because of his distance from them on the ground of earthly poverty, he, on the other hand, looks... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

Be not afraid. I. THE PREACHER , ( Psalms 49:3 , Psalms 49:4 .) He is marked by thoughtfulness. He lends his ear in many a secret place to learn wisdom. His inspiration is from above, and he does not speak of himself, but as moved by Divine impulses. What he has gathered by long meditation and experience he gives forth freely for the good of others. His ambition is to make the dark clear, to discern between good and evil, to strip falsehood of its disguises, and to set forth the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

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