Psalms 49:11 - Exposition

Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling-places to all generations . Still, though they know this, the rich and worldly have an idea—an "inward thought"—which they cherish, that they can m a certain sense escape death by founding families and leaving to their children substantial houses, which will keep up the family reputation, and accumulating landed estates, to which they may affix their name, so keeping their memories alive to future ages. They call their lands after their own names (see Genesis 10:2 , Genesis 10:4 , Genesis 10:6 , Genesis 10:22 , Genesis 10:23 , Genesis 10:29 , etc.; and compare the Greek traditions with respect to Hellen, Ion, Achaeus, Pelops, Cadmus, etc.). To call cities after their own names, or the names of their sons, was a still commoner practice of great men in the olden times.