Psalm 49:5 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 49:5-15

The prelude, or introduction, being over, the substance of the "dark saying" is now brought forth. The problem is propounded. On the one hand are the righteous, fallen upon evil days, surrounded by treacherous foes, ever on the watch to do them a mischief ( Psalms 49:5 ); on the other are the wicked, "trusting in their wealth, and boasting themselves in the multitude of their riches" ( Psalms 49:6 ), so opulent that they build houses which they expect to "continue for ever" and proprietors... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 49:5

Psalms 49:5. Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil Either, 1st, Of sin; when iniquities of all sorts abound, which is, in many respects, grievous and vexatious to good men. Or, 2d, Of misery; in times of great distress and calamity, either public or private, when wicked men flourish, and good men are oppressed and persecuted. When the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about That is, the violent and injurious practices of my ungodly and malicious enemies, who lay snares for... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:1-20

Psalms 49:0 When rich and poor face deathRich and poor alike are asked to listen as the psalmist deals with a problem of life that concerns them both (1-4). The godly have no need to be anxious when the wealthy and powerful oppose them. After all, the wealthy cannot give their money to God to stop them from dying. Money cannot buy the right to live for ever. The wealthy also must die (5-9). Whether people be wise or foolish, rich or poor, they are no better off than the beasts when it comes to... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 49:5

days of evil. His were in Matthew 26:38 . Luke 22:44 , 3 John 1:12; 3 John 1:12 :27 . Hebrews 5:7 . evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 . iniquity = perverseness. Hebrew ' avah . App-41 . of my heels: or, my footsteps. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), for the whole person, in order to call attention to, and thus emphasize, the reference to Genesis 3:15 . When our iniquities were laid upon Christ, then He was vulnerable and was wounded for our transgressions. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 49:5

WICKED RICH; PERSECUTED GODLY POOR"Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil,When iniquity at my heels compasseth me about?They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;None of them by any means can redeem his brother,Nor give to God a ransom for him(For the redemption of their life is costly,And it abideth forever).""Days of evil ... iniquity at my heels ... they that trust in riches" (Psalms 49:5-6). The proximity of Psalms 49:5-6, is not accidental.... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 49:5

Psalms 49:5. Wherefore should I fear, &c.— Wherefore should I fear in the days of adversity, when the iniquity of those who lie in wait for me, surrounds me? Bishop Hare. Houbigant renders the last clause, Because trouble surrounds me. The iniquity of my heels, is agreeable to the Hebrew; but the meaning seems to be what the versions above have assigned; "The iniquity of those unjust persons who are at my heels, and are ready to supplant and destroy me." read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 49:5

5. iniquity—or, "calamity" (Psalms 40:12). of my heels—literally "my supplanters" (Psalms 40:12- :), or oppressors: "I am surrounded by the evils they inflict." read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 49:1-20

Psalms 49The writer reflected on the problem that the prosperity of the wicked poses in this wisdom psalm (cf. Psalms 73). He observed that there are many ungodly people who enjoy many physical blessings. Still, he concluded that the righteous are better off because they have a sure hope for the future."The psalm is an encouragement to the godly who are haunted by the power and influence of the rich." [Note: VanGemeren, p. 366. See also Brueggemann, pp. 106-10.] read more