Bible Commentary

Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and [men] will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. 18. blessed his soul ] Congratulated himself on his good fortune, flattering himself that he was beyond the reach of misfortune. Cp. Deu 29:19; Luk 12:19. men will praise thee ] Men praise thee (R.V.). The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 49:18”

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 49:17”

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 16. Be not thou afraid ] The Psalmist addresses himself, repeating the question of Psa 49:5 in the form of an exhortation (the Heb. word is the same), or any individual who is listening to him. glory ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 49:16”

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. 15. While the wicked become the prey of Sheol, the Psalmist is delivered from its power. But in what sense? In this life, or after death? A careful study of the context and of similar phrases elsewhere … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 49:15”

Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. 14. Like sheep are they put into Sheol; Death shepherdeth them; And the upright have dominion over them in the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 49:14”

This their way [is] their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. 13. A difficult verse. The best rendering appears to be: This is the way of them that are self-confident, And of their followers who [lit. those who after them ] approve their sayings. The verse sums up the preceding verses, like Job … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 49:13”

Nevertheless man [being] in honor abideth not: he is like the beasts [that] perish. 12. If we retain the reading of the Massoretic Text in Psa 49:11, we may render with R.V., But man abideth not in honour. If the reading graves is adopted, Psa 49:12 sums up the picture: So man in splendour hath … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 49:12”

Their inward thought [is, that] their houses [shall continue] forever, [and] their dwelling places to all generations; they call [their] lands after their own names. 11. Their inward thought is &c.] If they do reflect that they must die, they comfort themselves with the delusion that their houses will last for ever, and their names … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 49:11”

For he seeth [that] wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. 10. For he seeth that wise men die ] Experience shews the rich man that all alike come to the grave. Even wisdom cannot deliver its possessor. This rendering is on the whole preferable … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 49:10”

That he should still live forever, [and] not see corruption. 9. The preceding verse is a parenthesis, and this verse is to be connected with Psa 49:7 and rendered, That he should live on perpetually, (And) should not see the pit. ‘To see the pit’ = to experience death. The word shachath, rendered corruption in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 49:9”