Psalm 49
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
Authorship
This Psalm was authored by the Korahites.
Outline
(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline[1], but may be adapted.)
I. The summons. (1-2)
- A. Hear this...
- 1. All people.
- 2. All inhabitants of the world.
- 3. Both low and high, rich and poor.
- (Note that all levels are addressed. The negative power of wealth can affect every level of society.)
II. The subject. (3-4)
- A. My mouth shall speak of wisdom.
- B. The meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
- C. I will incline my ear to a parable.
- D. I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
III. The sermon. (5-20)
- A. Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
- B. They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches:
- 1. None of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to God a ransom for him (you can’t buy salvation).
- 2. The redemption of their soul is precious and it ceases for ever.
- 3. They believe they will live forever and not see corruption.
- (Note: Remember that there sin is not in wealth, but in trusting in wealth.)
- C. Wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish:
- 1. They leave their wealth to others.
- 2. They think their houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling places to all generations.
- 3. They call their lands after their own names.
- D. But man is like the beasts that perish.
- 1. Their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings.
- 2. Like sheep they are laid in the grave.
- 3. Death shall feed on them.
- 4. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning.
- 5. Their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
- E. God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for He shall receive me.
- F. Don’t fear when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased:
- 1. When he dies, he shall carry nothing away.
- 2. His glory shall not descend after him.
- 3. Even though his soul was blessed in life and men praised him, he will go to the generation of his fathers who shall never see light.
- (Note: Worldly wealth can lead to spiritual bankruptcy. The rich fool is robbed of his future, his fortune, and his faith.)
- G. Honorable men that do not understand these truths are like the beasts that perish.
References
- ↑ Ernst Wendland, Expository Outlines of the Psalms, https://www.academia.edu/37220700/Expository_Outlines_of_the_PSALMS