Psalm 49
1599 Geneva Bible
49 1 The holy Ghost calleth all men to the consideration of man’s life, 7 showing them not to be most blessed that are most wealthy, and therefore not to be feared: but contrariwise he lifteth up our minds to consider how all things are ruled by God’s providence: 14 Who as he judgeth these worldly misers to everlasting torments, 15 so doth he preserve his, and will reward them in the day of the resurrection, 1 Thess. 1:6.
To him that excelleth. A Psalm committed to the sons of Korah.
1 Hear [a]this all ye people: give ear, all ye that dwell in the world,
2 As well low as high, both rich and poor.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and the meditation of mine heart is of knowledge.
4 I will incline mine ear to a parable, and utter my grave matter upon the harp.
5 Wherefore should I [b]fear in the evil days, when iniquity shall compass me about, as at mine heels?
6 They trust in their [c]goods, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches.
7 Yet a man can by no means redeem his brother: he cannot give his ransom to God,
8 (So [d]precious is the redemption of their souls, [e]and the continuance forever)
9 That he may live still forever, and not see the grave.
10 For he seeth that wise men [f]die: and also that the ignorant and foolish perish, and leave their riches for [g]others.
11 Yet they think their houses and their habitations shall continue forever, even from generation to generation, and [h]call their lands by their names.
12 But man shall not continue in honor; he is like the [i]beasts that die.
13 This their way uttereth their foolishness; yet their posterity [j]delight in their talk. Selah.
14 [k]Like sheep they lie in grave; [l]death devoureth them; and the righteous shall have domination over them in the [m]morning; for their beauty shall consume, when they shall go from their house to grave.
15 But God shall deliver my soul from the power of the grave; [n]for he will receive me. Selah.
16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, and when the glory of his house is increased.
17 (A)For he shall take nothing away, when he dieth, neither shall his pomp descend after him.
18 For while he lived, [o]he rejoiced himself; and [p]men will praise thee, when thou makest much of thyself.
19 [q][r]He shall enter into the generation of his fathers, [s]and they shall not live forever.
20 Man is in honor; and [t]understandeth not; he is like to beasts that perish.
Footnotes
- Psalm 49:1 He will entreat how God governeth the world by his providence, which cannot be perceived by the judgment of the flesh.
- Psalm 49:5 Though wickedness reign, and enemies rage, seeing God will execute his judgments against the wicked in time convenient.
- Psalm 49:6 To trust in riches is mere madness, seeing they can neither restore life, nor prolong it.
- Psalm 49:8 That is, so rare or not to be found, as prophecy was precious in the days of Eli, 1 Sam. 3:1.
- Psalm 49:8 Meaning, it is impossible to live forever: also that life and death are only in God’s hands.
- Psalm 49:10 In that that death maketh no difference between the persons.
- Psalm 49:10 That is, not to their children, but to strangers. Yet the wicked profit not by these examples, but still dream an immortality in earth.
- Psalm 49:11 Or, labor that their name may be famous in earth.
- Psalm 49:12 As touching the death of the body.
- Psalm 49:13 They speak and do the same thing that their fathers did.
- Psalm 49:14 As sheep are gathered into the fold, so shall they be brought to the grave.
- Psalm 49:14 Because they have no part of life everlasting.
- Psalm 49:14 Christ’s coming is as the morning, when the elect shall reign with Christ their head over the wicked.
- Psalm 49:15 Or, because he hath received me.
- Psalm 49:18 Hebrew, he blessed his soul.
- Psalm 49:18 The flatterers praise them that live in delight and pleasures.
- Psalm 49:19 Or, his soul.
- Psalm 49:19 And not pass the term appointed for life.
- Psalm 49:19 Both they and their fathers shall live here but a while, and at length die forever.
- Psalm 49:20 He condemneth man’s ingratitude, who having received excellent gifts of God, abuseth them like a beast to his own condemnation.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
Bible Gateway Recommends
