---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 49"
description: "PSALM 49   :-. This Psalm instructs and consoles. It teaches that
earthly advantages are not reliable for permanent happiness, and
that, however prosperou"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/49"
---

PSALM 49

. This Psalm instructs and consoles. It teaches that
earthly advantages are not reliable for permanent happiness, and
that, however prosperous worldly men may be for a time, their
ultimate destiny is ruin, while the pious are safe in God's care.

**1-3.** All are called to hear what
interests all.
**world**—literally,
"duration of life," the present time.

**4. incline**—to hear attentively
([Psalms 17:6](../../../kjv/psalms/17/6); [Psalms 31:2](../../../kjv/psalms/31/2)).
**parable**—In *Hebrew*
and *Greek* "parable" and "proverb" are
translations of the same word. It denotes a *comparison,* or
form of speech, which under one image includes many, and is
expressive of a general truth capable of various illustrations. Hence
it may be used for the *illustration itself.* For the former
sense, "proverb" (that is, one word for several) is the
usual English term, and for the latter, in which comparison is
prominent, "parable" (that is, one thing laid by another).
The distinction is not always observed, since here, and in [Psalms 31:2](../../../kjv/psalms/31/2); "proverb" would better express the style of the
composition (compare also [Proverbs 26:7](../../../kjv/proverbs/26/7);
[Proverbs 26:9](../../../kjv/proverbs/26/9); [Habakkuk 2:6](../../../kjv/habakkuk/2/6);
[John 16:25](../../../kjv/john/16/25); [John 16:29](../../../kjv/john/16/29)).
Such forms of speech are often very figurative and also obscure
(compare [Matthew 13:12-15](../../../kjv/matthew/13/12-15)).
Hence the use of the parallel word—
**dark saying**—or,
"riddle" (compare [Matthew 13:12-40](../../../kjv/matthew/13/12-40)).
**open**—is to explain.
**upon the harp**—the
accompaniment for a lyric.

**5. iniquity**—or, "calamity"
([Psalms 40:12](../../../kjv/psalms/40/12)).
**of my heels**—literally
"my supplanters" ([Psalms 40:12](../../../kjv/psalms/40/12)), or oppressors: "I am surrounded by the evils they
inflict."

**6.** They are vainglorious.

**7-9.** yet unable to save
themselves or others.

**8. it ceaseth for ever**—that
is, the ransom fails, the price is too precious, costly.

**9. corruption**—literally,
"pit," or, "grave," thus showing that "soul"
is used for "life" [].

**10. For he seeth**—that is,
corruption; then follows the illustration.
**wise . . . fool**—
([Psalms 14:1](../../../kjv/psalms/14/1); [Proverbs 1:32](../../../kjv/proverbs/1/32);
[Proverbs 10:1](../../../kjv/proverbs/10/1)).
**likewise**—alike
altogether— ([Psalms 4:8](../../../kjv/psalms/4/8)) —die—all
meet the same fate.

**11.** Still infatuated and
flattered with hopes of perpetuity, they call their lands, or
"celebrate their names on account of (their) lands."

**12.** Contrasted with this vanity
is their frailty. However honored, man
**abideth not**—literally,
"lodgeth not," remains not till morning, but suddenly
perishes as (wild) beasts, whose lives are taken without warning.

**13.** Though their way is folly,
others follow the same course of life.

**14. Like sheep**—(compare ) unwittingly, they
**are laid**—or, "put,"
&c.
**death shall feed on**—or,
better, "shall rule"
**them**—as a shepherd
(compare "feed," [Psalms 28:9](../../../kjv/psalms/28/9),
*Margin*).
**have dominion over**—or,
"subdue"
**them in the morning**—suddenly,
or in their turn.
**their beauty**—literally,
"form" or shape.
**shall consume**—literally,
"is for the consumption," that is, of the grave.
**from their
dwelling**—literally, "from their home (they go) to it,"
that is, the grave.

**15.** The pious, delivered from
"the power of the grave."
**power**—literally, "the
hand," of death, are taken under God's care.

**16-19.** applies this instruction.
Be not anxious ([Psalms 37:1](../../../kjv/psalms/37/1), &c.),
since death cuts off the prosperous wicked whom you dread.

**18. Though . . . lived,**
c.—literally, "For in his life he blessed his soul," or,
"himself" ([Luke 12:19](../../../kjv/luke/12/19)
[Luke 16:25](../../../kjv/luke/16/25)); yet ([Luke 16:25](../../../kjv/luke/16/25)); he has had his portion.
**men will praise . . .
thyself**—Flatterers enhance the rich fool's self-complacency;
the form of address to him strengthens the emphasis of the sentiment.

**16-19.** applies this instruction.
Be not anxious ([Psalms 37:1](../../../kjv/psalms/37/1), &c.),
since death cuts off the prosperous wicked whom you dread.

**20.** (Compare ). The *folly* is more distinctly expressed by
"understandeth not," substituted for "abideth not."

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