DiscipleDeck
Get started
Bible Commentary

Psalms 49:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

A contrast: unseen wealth.

To those whose character and outlook are depicted in the bulk of this psalm its writer did not belong. He looks on them; he writes of them; but he is not one with them. The emphatic and striking word "but" () indicates what the context shows, that there is a great gulf between him and them. While the wicked ones who are rolling in wealth despise him because of his distance from them on the ground of earthly poverty, he, on the other hand, looks down with pity upon them because of their distance from him, on the ground of his having "a life hidden with Christ in God," and possessions in heaven, where no thief approacheth nor moth corrupteth. And the expositor may well devote his attention to the five lines of contrast indicated in this psalm.

I. THERE IS A CONTRAST IN CHARACTER. (.) "The upright." This is the word often used to express the character of the people of God, in distinction from the ungodly (; ; ). The word does not mean "perfection," but true sincerity of spirit, combined with the desire to be right in the sight of God. Three things are included therein:

Where sin is duly acknowledged, forsaken, forgiven, removed, there, in the sight of God, is an upright man. How great the contrast between such and the "fools," however rich the latter may be!

II. THERE IS A CONTRAST IN POSSESSIONS. Such a one can say, "My God!" And he can think and write and speak of God as One who is his Life, his Hope, his Joy, his Friend, his All ().

III. THERE IS A CONTRAST IN THE IMMEDIATE OUTLOOK. Instead of being driven at death into the shades of Sheol, he will be received by God (). "He shall receive me." The same word is used of Enoch, "He was not, for God took him;" and by Asaph, in .

IV. THERE IS A CONTRAST IN THE AFTER-GUARDIANSHIP, Instead of death being their shepherd by feeding on them, Jehovah is their Shepherd, and leads them beside living fountains of water.

V. THERE IS A CONTRAST IN THE FAR LOOK. (.) God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; i.e. he will restore me at the resurrection morning. This nature will be completely redeemed—body, soul, and spirit, to be for ever with the Lord.—C.

Recommended reading

More for Psalms 49:1-20

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Psalms 49:1-5Psalms 49:1-5 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryWe seldom meet with a more solemn introduction: there is no truth of greater importance. Let all hear this with application to ourselves. The poor are in danger from undue desire toward the wealth of the world, as rich…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20Psalms 49:1-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THIS is a didactic poem, and resembles in some respects Psalms 37:1-40, and Psalms 73:1-28. It deals with the same problem—the contrast between the lot of the righteous man, whom the wicked persecute continua…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1Psalms 49:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryHear this, all ye people; rather, all ye peoples. Like Psalms 47:1-9; this psalm is addressed to the nations generally, who are all equally interested in it. The writer regards his mission as not confined to Israel, but…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20Psalms 49:1-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryA dark saying: wealth in bad hands. The author and the date of this psalm are alike unknown. There are, however, matters concerning it of much more importance, which we do know. One of these is that the writer was a bel…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20Psalms 49:1-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryBe not afraid. I. THE PREACHER, (Psalms 49:3, Psalms 49:4.) He is marked by thoughtfulness. He lends his ear in many a secret place to learn wisdom. His inspiration is from above, and he does not speak of himself, but a…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20Psalms 49:1-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe issues of life. Connected with Psalms 16:1-11; Psalms 17:1-15; the writer stands face to face with the great problem of the time—the prosperity of the wicked. The two chief causes which forced the conviction of a he…
commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 49:1-5We seldom meet with a more solemn introduction: there is no truth of greater importance. Let all hear this with application to ourselves. The poor are in danger from undue desire toward the wealth of the world, as rich…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20The issues of life. Connected with Psalms 16:1-11; Psalms 17:1-15; the writer stands face to face with the great problem of the time—the prosperity of the wicked. The two chief causes which forced the conviction of a he…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20EXPOSITION THIS is a didactic poem, and resembles in some respects Psalms 37:1-40, and Psalms 73:1-28. It deals with the same problem—the contrast between the lot of the righteous man, whom the wicked persecute continua…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1Hear this, all ye people; rather, all ye peoples. Like Psalms 47:1-9; this psalm is addressed to the nations generally, who are all equally interested in it. The writer regards his mission as not confined to Israel, but…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20A dark saying: wealth in bad hands. The author and the date of this psalm are alike unknown. There are, however, matters concerning it of much more importance, which we do know. One of these is that the writer was a bel…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20Be not afraid. I. THE PREACHER, (Psalms 49:3, Psalms 49:4.) He is marked by thoughtfulness. He lends his ear in many a secret place to learn wisdom. His inspiration is from above, and he does not speak of himself, but a…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:2Both high and low, rich and poor, together. The teaching of the psalm concerns all ranks alike. To the great and rich it will carry warning; to the poor and lowly, consolation.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:3My mouth shall speak of wisdom (comp. Job 33:3, Job 33:4). It is not his own "wisdom" that the psalmist is about to utter, but a wisdom communicated to him from without, to which he has "to incline his ear" (Psalms 49:4…Joseph S. Exell and contributors