Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 49:17
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
17. Cp. Job 1:21; Ecc 5:15; 1Ti 6:7; and parallels from classical authors: e.g. Propertius IV. 5. 13:
Haud ullas portabis opes Acherontis ad undas:
Nudus at inferna, stulte, vehere, rate.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
For when he dieth – He must die. His wealth cannot save him from the grave. It is always to be assumed of rich people, as of all other men, that they will have to die. The point is not one which is to be argued; not one about which there can be any doubt. Of all people, whatever else may be said of them, it may always be affirmed that they must die, and important inferences may be always drawn from that fact.
He shall carry nothing away – It is not improbable that the apostle Paul had this passage in his eye in what he says in 1Ti 6:7, For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. See the notes at that passage. Compare Job 27:16-19.
His glory shall not descend after him – His wealth, and those things which have been procured by wealth, as indicating station and rank, cannot accompany him to the other world. This is said to show that he is not to be feared on account of his wealth. The argument is, that whatever there is in wealth that seems to give power, and to afford the means of doing injury, must soon be separated from him. In respect to wealth, and to all the power derived from wealth, he will be like the most poor and penniless of mortals. All that he possesses will pass into other hands, and whether for good or for evil, it will no longer be in his power to use it. As this must occur soon – as it may occur in a moment – there is no reason to fear such a man, or to suppose that he can do permanent injury by any power derived from wealth. Compare the notes at Isa 14:6-7, notes at Isa 14:10-11.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
For as he will shortly die, so all his wealth, and power, and glory will die with him, and thou wilt have no cause either to envy or fear him.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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 1Ti 6:7;
his glory shall not descend after him; either into the grave, the pit of corruption, the lower part of the earth, where kings, princes, counsellors, and peasants, are all alike, Job 3:14; or into hell, where are no titles of honour, nor respect of persons; no Pharaoh king of Egypt, or Sennacherib king of Assyria, there; but plain Pharaoh, &c. see Eze 32:31.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Psa 49:17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
Ver. 17. For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away ] Nothing but a shroud, as that great emperor caused to be proclaimed at his funeral. He was a fool that on his death bed clapped a piece of gold into his mouth, and said, Some wiser than some; I will take this with me. See Job 1:21 1Ti 6:7 . See Trapp on “ Job 1:21 “ See Trapp on “ 1Ti 6:7 “
His glory shall not descend after him
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
carry . . . away. See note on “receive”, Psa 49:15.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
he shall: Job 1:21, Job 27:19, Ecc 5:15, Luk 12:20, Luk 16:24, 1Ti 6:7
his: Isa 5:14, Isa 10:3, 1Co 15:43
Reciprocal: Gen 31:1 – glory Est 5:11 – the glory Job 15:29 – neither shall Job 19:9 – stripped Job 21:23 – in his full strength Job 31:24 – General Psa 17:14 – portion Psa 49:10 – leave Mat 4:8 – and showeth Mar 8:36 – what