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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 49:17

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 49:18

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:19

They shall never see light - Rise again they shall; but they shall never see the light of glory, for there is prepared for them the blackness of darkness for ever. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:20

Man that is in honor - The rich and honorable man who has no spiritual understanding, is a beast in the sight of God. The spirit of this maxim is, A man who is in a dignified official situation, but destitute of learning and sound sense, is like a beast. The important place which he occupies reflects no honor upon him, but is disgraced by him. Who has not read the fable of the beautifully carved head? It was every thing that it should be, but had no brains. This verse has been often quoted... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:18

Verse 18 18For he will bless his soul in his lifetime Various meanings have been attached to this verse. Some read, He ought to have blessed his soul during his life Others apply the first clause of the verse to the wicked, while they refer the second to believers, who are in the habit of praising God for all his benefits. Others understand the whole verse as descriptive of believers, but without sufficient ground. There can be little doubt that the reference is to the children of the world. In... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 49:19

Verse 19 19He shall come to the age of his fathers He proceeds to show how false are the flatteries by which the wicked deceive themselves, and are deceived by others. Be they ever so intoxicated with the praises of the world, or with their own vain imaginations, yet they cannot live beyond the age of their fathers; and, granting their life to be extended to the longest term, it can never stretch into eternity. Others understand the expression as synonymous with their being gathered to the tomb... read more

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