Bible Commentaries
Psalms 49

Introduction

Overview

Psalms 49:1, An earnest persuasion to build the faith of resurrection, not on worldly power, but on God; Psalms 49:16, Worldly prosperity is not to be admired.

This Psalm was probably written by one of the descendants of the sons of Korah, during the Babylonian captivity.

Verse 1

for: or, of, Psalms 46:1, Psalms 48:1, *titles

Hear: Psalms 34:11, Psalms 78:1, Proverbs 1:20-23, Matthew 11:15, Matthew 13:9, Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:29

inhabitants: Psalms 50:1, Isaiah 49:6, Malachi 1:11, Matthew 28:19, Matthew 28:20, Romans 3:29, Romans 10:18

Reciprocal: Numbers 26:11 - General Deuteronomy 32:1 - General Judges 5:3 - O ye kings 1 Chronicles 6:37 - Korah 1 Chronicles 9:19 - Korah 1 Chronicles 26:1 - Korhites 2 Chronicles 15:2 - Hear ye me 2 Chronicles 20:19 - Korhites Job 26:3 - plentifully Job 33:1 - hear Psalms 42:1 - the sons Proverbs 4:2 - good Proverbs 8:4 - General Proverbs 22:2 - rich Isaiah 18:3 - All ye Isaiah 32:9 - give ear Isaiah 34:1 - Come Isaiah 43:9 - all the Isaiah 46:12 - Hearken Jeremiah 17:20 - General Jeremiah 25:2 - General Daniel 4:35 - the inhabitants Joel 1:2 - Hear Micah 1:2 - hearken Mark 7:14 - when John 12:19 - the world Acts 13:16 - give Revelation 6:15 - the kings

Verse 2

Psalms 62:9, 1 Samuel 2:7, 1 Samuel 2:8, Job 34:19, Proverbs 22:2, Jeremiah 5:4, Jeremiah 5:5, James 1:9-11, James 2:1-7, Revelation 6:15-17

Reciprocal: Judges 5:3 - O ye kings 2 Chronicles 15:2 - Hear ye me Job 3:19 - The small Psalms 50:1 - called Isaiah 2:9 - the mean Isaiah 18:3 - All ye Isaiah 32:9 - give ear Isaiah 34:1 - Come Isaiah 43:9 - all the Jeremiah 17:20 - General Jeremiah 25:2 - General Micah 1:2 - hearken Zechariah 9:13 - and raised Mark 7:14 - when Revelation 13:16 - rich

Verse 3

mouth: Deuteronomy 32:2, Job 33:3, Job 33:33, Proverbs 4:1, Proverbs 4:2, Proverbs 8:6-11, Proverbs 22:17, Proverbs 22:20, Proverbs 22:21, 2 Timothy 3:15-17

meditation: Psalms 19:14, Psalms 45:1, Psalms 104:34, Matthew 12:35

Reciprocal: Job 20:3 - the spirit Job 28:21 - hid Job 36:4 - in 1 Corinthians 14:2 - howbeit 1 Timothy 4:15 - Meditate

Verse 4

incline: Psalms 78:2, Matthew 13:35

parable: Numbers 23:7, Ezekiel 20:49, Matthew 13:11-15

dark: Proverbs 1:6, Daniel 8:23, Luke 12:3, 2 Corinthians 3:12

Reciprocal: Numbers 12:8 - dark speeches Judges 14:12 - a riddle 1 Samuel 10:5 - a psaltery 1 Kings 10:1 - prove him 2 Chronicles 9:1 - questions Job 27:1 - Job Job 28:21 - hid Mark 3:23 - in parables Mark 4:2 - by parables John 16:25 - proverbs 1 Corinthians 14:2 - howbeit

Verse 5

Wherefore: Psalms 27:1, Psalms 27:2, Psalms 46:1, Psalms 46:2, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:11, Acts 27:24, Romans 8:33, Romans 8:34, Philippians 1:28

days: Proverbs 24:10, Amos 5:13, Ephesians 5:16

iniquity: Psalms 38:4, Proverbs 5:22, Hosea 7:2

heels: Psalms 22:16, Psalms 56:6, Psalms 56:7, Genesis 49:17, 1 Samuel 26:20

Reciprocal: Psalms 37:18 - the days Psalms 49:16 - Be not Zephaniah 3:11 - shalt thou Luke 12:19 - Soul

Verse 6

trust: Psalms 52:7, Psalms 62:10, Job 31:24, Job 31:25, Proverbs 10:15, Proverbs 23:5, Mark 10:24, 1 Timothy 6:17

boast: Esther 5:11, Jeremiah 9:23, Ezekiel 28:4, Ezekiel 28:5, Hosea 12:8, Luke 12:19

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 21:4 - We will Esther 8:1 - give the house Job 3:14 - kings Job 3:19 - The small Job 21:16 - Lo Job 34:19 - regardeth Psalms 10:3 - boasteth Psalms 22:29 - and none Proverbs 10:2 - Treasures Proverbs 11:4 - Riches Proverbs 13:8 - ransom Proverbs 18:11 - General Ecclesiastes 8:8 - is no Isaiah 14:10 - Art thou also Jeremiah 41:8 - Slay Jeremiah 48:7 - because Jeremiah 49:4 - trusted Daniel 11:4 - he shall stand Zephaniah 1:18 - their silver Matthew 19:23 - That Luke 6:24 - woe Luke 9:25 - what Luke 16:22 - the rich John 1:4 - the life Romans 1:30 - boasters 1 Corinthians 1:29 - General Galatians 6:14 - that I 2 Timothy 3:2 - boasters James 1:11 - so James 5:1 - ye

Verse 7

give: Matthew 16:26, Matthew 20:28, 1 Timothy 2:6, 1 Peter 1:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 5:5 - and he died Genesis 47:29 - must die Exodus 30:12 - a ransom Leviticus 25:31 - they may be redeemed 1 Kings 20:39 - or else Job 5:20 - redeem Job 6:23 - Redeem Job 21:16 - Lo Job 31:24 - General Job 33:24 - I Job 34:19 - regardeth Job 36:18 - then Psalms 26:11 - redeem Psalms 89:48 - What Jeremiah 48:7 - because Matthew 19:23 - That Matthew 25:9 - lest Mark 8:37 - General Mark 10:24 - trust Luke 6:24 - woe Luke 7:42 - when John 11:39 - Lord Philippians 3:11 - by

Verse 8

Job 36:18, Job 36:19

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:31 - they may be redeemed 1 Samuel 26:21 - my soul 2 Kings 1:14 - let my life Job 6:23 - Redeem Job 33:24 - I Matthew 16:26 - or Mark 8:37 - General Luke 7:42 - when 1 Corinthians 15:55 - is thy victory 1 Peter 1:18 - ye

Verse 9

That he: Psalms 89:48, Proverbs 10:2, Proverbs 11:4, Ecclesiastes 8:8, Zechariah 1:5, Luke 16:22, Luke 16:23

see: Psalms 16:10, John 8:51, John 8:52, Acts 2:27, Acts 2:31, Acts 13:33, Acts 13:35-37

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:29 - must die Job 17:14 - corruption John 11:39 - Lord Acts 13:36 - and saw 1 Corinthians 15:42 - in corruption 1 Peter 4:14 - reproached

Verse 10

wise: Ecclesiastes 2:16-21, Ecclesiastes 9:1, Ecclesiastes 9:2, Romans 5:12-14, Hebrews 9:27

fool: Psalms 73:22, Psalms 92:6, Psalms 92:7, Psalms 94:8, Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 30:2, Jeremiah 10:8

leave: Psalms 49:17, Psalms 17:14, Psalms 39:6, Proverbs 11:4, Ecclesiastes 2:18, Ecclesiastes 2:19, Ecclesiastes 2:21, Ecclesiastes 2:26, Ecclesiastes 5:13-16, Jeremiah 17:11, Luke 12:20, 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Reciprocal: Joshua 24:33 - died Job 30:8 - children Psalms 37:10 - wicked Psalms 94:11 - General Proverbs 14:24 - foolishness Ecclesiastes 2:14 - one Ecclesiastes 12:5 - because Jeremiah 9:23 - wise Daniel 11:7 - one stand Matthew 5:22 - fool Luke 16:8 - in 2 Peter 2:12 - as natural

Verse 11

Their inward: etc. Or, "Their grave is their house forever, their dwelling place through all generations, though their names are celebrated over countries." Psalms 5:9, Psalms 64:6, Ezekiel 38:10, Luke 11:39, Acts 8:22

all generations: Heb. generation and generation

they call: Genesis 4:17, 1 Samuel 15:12, 2 Samuel 18:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:4 - and let Psalms 10:3 - and blesseth Psalms 39:6 - he heapeth Ecclesiastes 2:4 - I builded Habakkuk 2:9 - set Luke 16:25 - thy good Colossians 3:2 - not

Verse 12

in honour: Psalms 49:20, Psalms 39:5, Psalms 82:7, James 1:10, James 1:11, 1 Peter 1:24

abideth: The word yalin, rendered abideth, signifies to lodge for a night. Man's continuance in the world, or in honour or distinction, resembles a traveller's lodging at an inn, whence he removes in the morning; and is frequently far more transient and evanescent.

beasts: Ecclesiastes 3:18-21, Ecclesiastes 9:12

Reciprocal: Psalms 7:5 - lay Ecclesiastes 3:19 - that which Luke 16:28 - lest

Verse 13

folly: Luke 12:20, 1 Corinthians 3:19

approve their sayings: Heb. delight in their mouth, Jeremiah 44:17, Luke 11:47, Luke 11:48, Luke 16:27, Luke 16:28

Reciprocal: Luke 16:15 - for

Verse 14

Like: Psalms 44:11, Jeremiah 12:3, Romans 8:36

they: Job 17:13, Job 17:14, Job 21:13, Job 21:26, Job 30:23, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Isaiah 38:10, Isaiah 38:11

death: Job 24:19, Job 24:20

upright: Psalms 47:3, Daniel 7:22, Malachi 4:3, Luke 22:30, 1 Corinthians 6:2, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 2:27, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 20:5

morning: Psalms 30:5, Hosea 6:3

their: Psalms 39:11, Job 4:21

beauty: or, strength

in the grave: etc. or, the grave being an habitation to every one of them, Job 30:23

Reciprocal: Numbers 26:53 - General Judges 5:13 - he made Job 3:14 - kings Job 3:19 - and the servant Job 21:32 - he be Job 40:13 - Hide Psalms 17:15 - I awake Psalms 31:22 - I am Proverbs 14:19 - General Ecclesiastes 3:18 - concerning Ecclesiastes 3:20 - go Isaiah 5:14 - hell Ezekiel 32:27 - but Matthew 22:29 - not Luke 16:26 - between John 11:24 - I know John 11:39 - Lord Acts 13:36 - and saw 1 Corinthians 15:42 - in corruption

Verse 15

God: Psalms 31:5, Psalms 56:13, Psalms 73:24, Hosea 13:14, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 14:13

power: Heb. hand

the grave: or, hell, Psalms 16:10, Psalms 86:13, Psalms 89:48

shall: Luke 23:46, John 14:3, Acts 7:59

Reciprocal: Job 6:23 - Redeem Psalms 26:11 - redeem Psalms 107:20 - delivered Matthew 22:29 - not Luke 16:23 - in hell John 11:24 - I know Acts 2:27 - leave Philippians 1:23 - with 1 Thessalonians 4:17 - and so

Verse 16

Be not: Psalms 49:5, Psalms 37:1, Psalms 37:7, Esther 3:1-6, Proverbs 28:12

glory: Genesis 31:1, Esther 5:11, Revelation 21:24, Revelation 21:26

Reciprocal: Job 15:29 - neither shall Job 19:9 - stripped Psalms 4:6 - many Proverbs 4:7 - with Isaiah 10:3 - where Jeremiah 9:23 - wise Matthew 4:8 - and showeth Matthew 19:23 - That Luke 6:24 - woe Luke 16:22 - the rich

Verse 17

he shall: Job 1:21, Job 27:19, Ecclesiastes 5:15, Luke 12:20, Luke 16:24, 1 Timothy 6:7

his: Isaiah 5:14, Isaiah 10:3, 1 Corinthians 15:43

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:1 - glory Esther 5:11 - the glory Job 15:29 - neither shall Job 19:9 - stripped Job 21:23 - in his full strength Job 31:24 - General Psalms 17:14 - portion Psalms 49:10 - leave Matthew 4:8 - and showeth Mark 8:36 - what

Verse 18

while he lived: Heb. in his life

blessed: Deuteronomy 29:19, Hosea 12:8, Luke 12:19

praise: 1 Samuel 25:6, Esther 3:2, Acts 12:20-22, Revelation 13:3, Revelation 13:4

Reciprocal: Psalms 10:3 - and blesseth Psalms 36:2 - For he Proverbs 28:4 - that Malachi 3:15 - we call Luke 16:15 - for

Verse 19

He: Heb. The soul, Ecclesiastes 3:21, Ecclesiastes 12:7, Luke 12:20, Luke 16:22, Luke 16:23

to the generation: Genesis 15:15, 1 Kings 16:6

never: Psalms 56:13, Job 33:30, Matthew 8:12, Matthew 22:13, Jude 1:13

Reciprocal: Job 33:28 - see Ecclesiastes 3:18 - concerning Luke 6:25 - mourn John 3:36 - see John 8:12 - shall have 1 Peter 3:10 - see

Verse 20

Man: Psalms 49:12, Esther 5:11-14, Esther 7:10

understandeth: Job 4:21

is like: Psalms 73:18, Psalms 73:19, Ecclesiastes 3:18, Ecclesiastes 3:19

Reciprocal: Isaiah 14:10 - Art thou also Daniel 4:30 - and for