Passage To Study:

Psalm 49:1-11

[1] Hear this, all peoples; 
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
[2] Both low and high,
Rich and poor together.
[3] My mouth shall speak wisdom,
And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.
[4] I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will disclose my dark saying on the harp.
[5] Why should I fear in the days of evil,
When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
[6] Those who trust in their wealth
And boast 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 souls is costly,
And it shall cease forever—
[9] That he should continue to live eternally,
And not see the Pit.
[10] For he sees wise men die;
Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish,
And leave their wealth to others.
[11] Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever,
Their dwelling places to all generations;
They call their lands after their own names.

Flow of the Passage:

• (Verse 1-4) - David has a proverb to give to the people - one that is wisdom for all men. It is hard to understand but is the fruit of David's consideration of the matter.

• (Verse 5) - David ought not fear the day he lives in.

• (Verse 6-7) - No matter how rich someone is, they are still unable to redeem their family spiritually.

• (Verse 8-9) - The reason for this is that redemption, living forever and escaping the pit, is costly.

• (Verse 10-11) - The rich see every one else die and leave their money to others, but they still think theirs will last forever.

What Do I Think About It?

(Verse 1-4) - What David has to tell us is apparently something he sees as profound - and indeed it is if one heeds it! This kind of understanding comes as a result of pondering matters over a long period of time (3). As such, he intends it to be for universal attention (1). His audience is to be both those who already are rich and those who may desire to be so (2). Interestingly, it appears that David wishes to stress that he will listen to his own advice and even meditate on it further (4).

(Verse 5) - This is, apparently, the main theme of the psalm. Why should David fear the power and influence of wicked rich men? It could be that the occassion of this psalm was that David had felt such fear but had come to see that it was unnecessary. It is interesting that there is specific mention that the believer need not fear the power of the wicked, even if it seems to surround us. The question is not the degree of evil because the answer is the same, regardless. The degree and proximity of evil are issues only in the experience of them - not with regard to the explanation of or solution for them. That lies with God who is ever the same.

(Verse 6-7) - Verse 6 gives the first reason why there is no cause for alarm. The wicked are trusting in a temporal thing, not in the eternal, living God. Ultimately, though in the near term it doesn't seem so, riches are powerless to do anything that really matters. Those who put their trust in that which they, themselves have brought to pass are putting their trust in that which, ultimately, has no power to effect what will, in the end, be truly important. "Redeem" in verse 7 should be understood to refer to making making payment for a debt. With all of their power and influence, the wicked lack any ability to finally affect the things most dear to them - a truly tragic happenstance I'm sure all will agree.

(Verse 8-9) - Verse 8 should be understood as speaking to the issue of extending life. It us our physical life that ceases forever. This is not speaking of spiritual redemption - though the concept might certainly be applied. ''Soul" refers to the physical life of the individual. The making of a life "redeemed" (or validated or justified) is a precious thing that is secured by means other than those means available to the wicked, considerable though they be. There is no resource available to man naturally that can redeem or ransom a life spent in the pursuit of wickedness.

(Verse 10-11) - The wicked rich are, in the final analysis, the most foolish of all. They see (as all men see) that all men die and that all riches are finally yielded up to others. This is true regardless of the wisdom, foolishness, or even brutishness of the individual. No level of sophistication can change this result. It is inevitable. Yet, the rich man insists on telling himself that his case is different, that his legacy will go on. They think that they redeem themselves by the perpetuation of their name and the inheritance of their offspring. They persist in believing this, though all the observable evidence would insist on its' falsehood.

What Difference Does This Make To  Me?

I must beware of the subtle call of riches. It is easy to decry riches, meaning the having of a great deal; but then give in to the more sublime seduction of the pursuit of stuff (even if I never achieve it). If I fall thus, I am no less guilty. The siren song of this world's goods is both subtle and seductive. It can sound its call in many guises and in various degrees. Great care must be exercised if I am to keep myself unspotted and unsullied.

Is There Anything For Me To Do?

Examine myself; my goals; and my priorities.

Psalm

49:1-11

Of The Vanity Of Earthy Prosperity