The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20

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

EXPOSITION

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 continually (Psalms 73:5), and these wicked themselves, who are wealthy and prosperous, found families, leave them their wealth, and even "call their lands after their own names" (Psalms 73:6, Psalms 73:10, Psalms 73:11). The problem is solved, more distinctly than anywhere else in the Psalms, by the doctrine of compensation in a future life (verses 15, 19), so that (as Hupfeld says) the psalm "contains a real, though crude and imperfect, theodicy." The wicked man has his good things in this life, and after death evil things, while with the good man the case is exactly the contrary. The date of the psalm is uncertain; but from its style it may be placed between the time of David and that of Hezekiah. The ascription of it to "the sons of Korah" deserves acceptance.

Metrically, the composition divides itself into three portions:

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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 49:1Psalms 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 CommentaryA 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 striki…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 Henry commentaryThe 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 contributors commentaryThe 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 contributors commentaryThe 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 contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 49:1-20A 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 striki…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe 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 contributors commentaryThe 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 contributors commentaryThe 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