King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
More Psalms Chapter 49 (Old Testament)
6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
14 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.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
More Psalms Chapter 49
16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
20 Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 49:15
Verse: וְאֱלֹהִים יִפְדֶּה נַפְשִׁי מִיַּד שְׁאוֹל
Transliteration: V’Elohim yifdeh nafshi miyad Sheol
English: “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave.”
Focus Word: פָּדָה (Padah)
- Root: פ-ד-ה (Pe-Dalet-Heh)
- Meaning: “To redeem,” “to ransom,” “to deliver.”
- Deeper Insight: In Hebrew, padah emphasizes God’s saving intervention, rescuing from danger or spiritual death.
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 49 |
|---|---|---|
| John Lightfoot (Jesus College, Cambridge, 1602–1675) | Commentarius Hebraicus in Psalmos | Highlights that earthly riches cannot secure eternal life, urging reliance on God instead. |
| Matthew Poole (University of Oxford, 1624–1679) | Synopsis Criticorum | Poole observes that the Psalm warns against pride in wealth and stresses God’s judgment over all. |
| Richard Baxter (University of Cambridge, 1615–1691) | Paraphrase and Notes on the Psalms | Baxter emphasizes moral integrity over material gain, pointing out the futility of trusting in possessions. |
| Matthew Henry (Christ Church, Oxford, 1662–1714) | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Observes that the Psalm teaches humility, highlighting the equality of all before God. |
| Thomas Manton (Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1620–1677) | Exposition of the Psalms | Notes that this Psalm calls believers to place hope in divine providence rather than human resources. |
