Psalm 49:13-20 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 49:6-14

In these verses we have, I. A description of the spirit and way of worldly people, whose portion is in this life, Ps. 17:14. It is taken for granted that they have wealth, and a multitude of riches (Ps. 49:6), houses and lands of inheritance, which they call their own, Ps. 49:11. God often gives abundance of the good things of this world to bad men who live in contempt of him and rebellion against him, by which it appears that they are not the best things in themselves (for then God would give... read more

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 49:13

This their way is their folly ,.... This their last end becoming like the beasts that perish, which is the issue and event of all their confidence, ambition, and honour, shows the folly of their lives and conduct: or this their course of life, in trusting to their riches; boasting of their wealth; pleasing themselves with the thoughts of the continuance of their houses and dwelling places to all generations; and calling their lands after their own names; all proclaim their folly. Or, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:14

Like sheep they are laid in the grave ,.... They are not in life like sheep, harmless and innocent; nor reckoned as such for the slaughter, as the people of God are; unless it be that they are like them, brutish and stupid, thoughtless of death, and unconcerned about their estate after it; and so die and go into the grave, like natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, 2 Peter 2:12 ; or rather like sheep that have been grazing in good pasture in the daytime, at night are put... 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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 49:6-14

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 49:14

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

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

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

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

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

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

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