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For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. A psalm.
(49-2) Hear this, all peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
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(49-3) both low and high, both rich and poor together!
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(49-4) My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
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(49-5) I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will set forth my saying with the harp.
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(49-6) Why should I fear in days of trouble, when the iniquity of those who pursue me surrounds me,
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(49-7) those who trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches?
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(49-8) Truly no one can redeem himself, or give to God a ransom for his life,
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(49-9) for the price of redeeming his life is too costly, and can never suffice—
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(49-10) that he should live on forever, and never see the pit.
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(49-11) For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the senseless perish together, and leave their wealth to others.
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(49-12) Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places from generation to generation; though they named lands after themselves.
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(49-13) But man, with all his splendor, does not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.
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(49-14) This is the way of those who trust in themselves, and of those who delight in their own words. Selah
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(49-15) Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall shepherd them. They go down straight to the grave, their form wasting away; Sheol becomes their dwelling place.
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(49-16) But God will redeem my life from the power of Sheol, for he will take me. Selah
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(49-17) Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases,
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(49-18) for when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.
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(49-19) Though while he lives he counts himself blessed, and though people praise you because you do well for yourself,
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(49-20) he will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light.
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(49-21) Man, though in honor, without understanding, is like the beasts that perish.
🕊️🙏📖 Summary of Psalm 49 – “Wealth Cannot Save”
Psalm 49 is a psalm of wisdom from the sons of Korah, containing a deep reflection on the brevity of life and the inability of wealth to save the human soul. Addressed to “all nations,” this psalm teaches that death comes to all people — both rich and poor, and that only God can redeem from death.
This psalm shifts the view from earthly splendor to eternity, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from fearing the Lord, not from piling up wealth.
📌 1. A Call to All People (verses 1–4)
➡️ “Hear this, all peoples… both low and high, rich and poor.”
➡️ The psalmist wants to teach wisdom that comes from inward reflection, not from wealth.
🎯 The truth of God applies universally — beyond social or economic status.
📌 2. Wealth Cannot Ransom a Life (verses 5–9)
➡️ No one can ransom his brother, or pay God to save his life.
➡️ The price of a soul is too great — it cannot be bought.
🎯 Human life is too precious to be traded for money or earthly possessions.
📌 3. Death Is the Certain End (verses 10–14)
➡️ The wise and the foolish alike will die, and leave their wealth behind.
➡️ They think their houses will last forever, but the grave is their dwelling place.
➡️ “Death will shepherd them.”
🎯 Without God, death is a dreadful, unavoidable end.
📌 4. God Redeems from the Power of Death (verses 15–20)
➡️ “But God will deliver my soul from the power of the realm of the dead.”
➡️ Therefore do not envy the rich, for when he dies, he takes nothing with him.
🎯 Only God’s redemption gives hope beyond death.
📖 Main Teaching
- Wealth does not guarantee salvation or eternal life
- All people, rich or poor, will die — only God can redeem a life
- Do not be deceived by temporary splendor; focus on eternal value
- Death is a reminder that life must be viewed from a spiritual perspective
- True wisdom is to understand human limits and seek God
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 Mark 8:36
“What does it profit a person to gain the whole world, yet lose his life?”
➡️ Directly in line with the main message of Psalm 49.
📖 1 Timothy 6:7
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of it.”
➡️ Emphasizing that wealth does not go with us in death.
📖 1 Peter 1:18–19
“You were redeemed not with perishable things… but with the blood of Christ.”
➡️ Psalm 49 says no one can pay the price of a soul — except Christ.
📖 John 11:25
“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me will live, even though he has died.”
➡️ Deliverance from the power of death is found only in Jesus.
🕊️ “No one can redeem his brother… for the ransom of his life is too costly.” – Psalm 49:7–8
🕊️ “Death will shepherd them.” – Psalm 49:14
🕊️ “But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol.” – Psalm 49:15
🕊️ “Man, in his splendor, does not understand.” – Psalm 49:20
