Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 49:2

Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

2. Both low and high ] So the A.V. rightly paraphrases the Heb. sons of mankind ( dm) and sons of men (’ sh): those whose personality is lost in the common multitude, and those who are individually distinguished; plebeians and patricians. Adm corresponds to , homo; ’sh to , vir. Cp. Psa 4:2; Psa 62:9. The P.B.V. ( high and low) wrongly inverts the meanings.

rich and poor together ] The rich that they may recognise the vanity of riches, and take warning: the poor that they may learn to be contented with their lot, and not to envy the rich.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Both low and high – Those alike of humble and those of exalted rank, for it pertains equally to all. On the meaning of the terms employed here, see the notes at Isa 2:9. These truths pertained to the low; that is, to those of humble rank, as teaching them not to envy the rich, and not to fear their power; and they pertained to those of exalted rank, as teaching them not to trust in their riches, and not to suppose that they could permanently possess and enjoy them.

Rich and poor together – As equally interested in these truths; that is, What the psalmist was about to say was adapted to impart useful lessons to both classes. Both needed instruction on the subject; and the same class of truths was adapted to furnish that instruction. The class of truths referred to was derived from the powerlessness of wealth in regard to the things of most importance to man, and from the fact that all which a man can gain must soon be left: teaching those of one class that they should not set their heart on wealth, and should not pride themselves on possessing it, and teaching the other class that they should not envy or fear the possessor of riches.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Both low and high,…. Or “both the sons of Adam and the sons of men”. By the sons of “Adam” are meant the multitude of the people, as Ben Melech explains it; the common people, the meaner sort, the base things of this world; and such are they, generally speaking, who are called by grace under the Gospel dispensation: and by “the sons of men” are meant the princes, nobles, and great men of the earth; men of high birth and illustrious extraction: so Adam is rendered, “the mean man”, and “Ish”, the word here used, “the great man”, in Isa 2:9. And though not many, yet some of this sort are called by grace; and all of them have a peculiar concern in many things spoken of in this psalm; see

Ps 49:12;

rich and poor together: these are called upon to hearken to what is after said, that the one may not be elated with and trust in their riches, and that the other may not be dejected on account of their poverty; and seeing both must die, and meet together at the judgment day; and inasmuch as the Gospel is preached to one as to another; and for the most part the poor hear it, receive it, and are called by it.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(2) Both high and low.The two Hebrew expressions here used, ben-dam and ben-sh, answer to one another much as homo and vir in Latin. The LXX. and Vulg., taking dam in its primary sense, render sons of the soil and sons of men. Symmachus makes the expressions stand for men in general and men as individuals.

Shall be of understanding.The copula supplied by the Authorised Version is unnecessary. The word rendered meditation may mean, from its etymology, muttered thoughts, and it is quite consistent to say, my musings speak of understanding. So LXX. and Vulgate.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

2. Low and high The classifications of this verse are intended, by mentioning the extreme orders of society, to comprehend all the intermediate ranks also, without exception. They are specifications under the general terms “all nations,” “all inhabitants of the age.” See note on Psa 4:2

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Psa 49:2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.

Ver. 2. Both low and high, rich and poor together ] Heb. Both sons of Adam, or earthy man, and sons of Ish, or nobleman

quorum

Ex meliore luto finxit praecordia Titan.

Diogenes once made a like outcry at Athens, A , Hear, O ye men; and when a company came about him expecting what he would say to them, he looked upon them and said, A , I called for men, and not for slaves (varlets).

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)