Psalm 49

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by the Korahites.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, 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.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 49,8(7)A אָח {A} MT, G, εβρ, α', σ', ε', ς', Hebr, S, T // assim 16(15): m אַךְ

Ps 49,8(7)B יִפְדֶּה {A}

Ps 49,11(10) יִרְאֶה {A} MT, Qc, G, α', σ', ε', ς', Hebr// assim-ctext: S / exeg: T / err-graph: εβρ

Ps 49,12(11)A cor קִבְרָם {B} G, S, T // penn: MT, εβρ, α', σ', ε', ς', Hebr קִרְבָּם

Ps 49,12(11)B אֲדָמוֹת {A} MT, Qc, G(?), ο', εβρ, α', σ', ε', ς', S, T // assim-ctext: m G(?), θ', Hebr clav אדמותם

Ps 49,13(12)A בִּיקָר {B} MT, Qc, G, α', σ', ε', ς', Hebr, S, T // def-int: εβρ

Ps 49,13(12)B בַּל יָלִין {B} MT, σ', ε', ς', Hebr, T // assim 21: 4QPs^c, G, S

Ps 49,21(20)A בִּיקָר {A}

Ps 49,21(20)B וְלֹא יָבִין {A}

Ps 49,14(13)A וְאַחֲרֵיהֶם {A} MT, G, εβρ, α', σ', ε', ς', Hebr // lic: S, T

Ps 49,14(13)B יִרְצוּ {B} MT, G, σ', ε' // err-voc: εβρ, α'?, ς'? Hebr? / err-graph: S clav ירעו / paraphr: T / abst: Qc

Ps 49,15(14)A וַיִּרְדּוּ בָם יְשָׁרִים לַבֹּקֶר {A} MT, Qc, G, εβρ, α', σ', ε', Hebr, S / / midr: T

Ps 49,15(14)B מִזּבֻל לוֹ {A} MT, Qc, σ', Hebr, T // assim-ctext: G, α', S clav למו

Ps 49,21(20)A et 21(20)B cf. Ps 49,13(12).