Psalm 49:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 49:1-5

This is the psalmist's preface to his discourse concerning the vanity of the world and its insufficiency to make us happy; and we seldom meet with an introduction more solemn than this is; for there is no truth of more undoubted certainty, nor of greater weight and importance, and the consideration of which will be of more advantage to us. I. He demands the attention of others to that which he was about to say (Ps. 49:1, 2): Hear this, all you people; hear it and heed it, hear it and consider... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:5

Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil ,.... This is the principal thing that all are before called to hearken to. This is the wisdom and understanding the psalmist had been meditating upon, and was about to utter; this is the parable he inclined his ear to, and the dark saying he would open; namely, that a saint has nothing to fear in the worst of times; which is a riddle to a natural man. Aben Ezra interprets "the days of evil" of the days of old age, as they are called, Ecclesiastes... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:5

The iniquity of my heels - Perhaps עקבי akebai , which we translate my heels, should be considered the contracted plural of עקבים akebim , supplanters. The verse would then read thus: "Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, though the iniquity of my supplanters should compass me about." The Syriac and Arabic have taken a similar view of the passage: "Why should I fear in the evil day, when the iniquity of my enemies compasses me about." And so Dr. Kennicott translates it. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:5

Verse 5 5.Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil? The Psalmist now enters upon the point on which he proposed to discourse, That the people of God must not yield to despondency even in the most distressing circumstances, when their enemies may seem to have enclosed them on every side, but must rest assured that God, although he connives for a time, is awake to their condition, and only watches the best opportunity of executing his judgments. This manner of introducing the subject by... 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 49:5

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

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