Psalm 49

Psalm 49  •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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The dealings of the Lord with His Israel having been traced, and their course from sorrow and degradation up to settled glory and joy (Psa. 47-48), the Prophet of God addresses a word of wisdom and admonition to all the world, taking these ways of God with Israel as his text. He seems to look at them as a parable, and in this Psalm gives us the moral or application of that parable. He shows that God resists the proud, but raises the lowly, and that the upright alone have an abiding portion. And this is, indeed, the great moral of the world’s history, as well as of Israel’s. All shows that what is done “under the sun” is vanity; and that resurrection, comprehending what leads to it in grace, and what follows it in glory, is the only reality. (See Ecclesiastes 12:13-1413Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:13‑14).) All honor in the world will perish like the beasts (Psa. 49:1212Nevertheless man being in honor abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. (Psalm 49:12)). Wise and brutish ones alike die (Psa. 49:1010For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. (Psalm 49:10)). Wealth is unequal to accomplish redemption from corruption (Psa. 49:6-96They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; 7None 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:) 9That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption. (Psalm 49:6‑9)). All beauty, short of that which the God of resurrection imparts, shall be consumed in the grave; but there is a morning to arise for the joy and glory of all who are His (Psa. 49:14-1514Like 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. 15But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah. (Psalm 49:14‑15)).
Resurrection will interpret all. It is the Lord’s witness. And Israel delivered in the latter day will be Israel as in resurrection.