Psalms 49:13

KJV

This their way [is] their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

KJV (with Strong's)

This their way {H1870} is their folly {H3689}: yet their posterity {H310} approve {H7521}{H8799)} their sayings {H6310}. Selah {H5542}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is the manner of life of the foolish and those who come after, approving their words. (Selah)

Berean Standard Bible

This is the fate of the self-confident and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah

American Standard Version

This their way is their folly: Yet after them men approve their sayings. [Selah

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 49:13 serves as a profound indictment against those who place their trust in worldly riches and material possessions, labeling their life's pursuit as ultimate "folly." The verse further highlights a tragic generational pattern, revealing that subsequent generations often endorse and perpetuate the misguided values and philosophies of their predecessors, despite the clear evidence of their ultimate futility in the face of death. The concluding "Selah" invites deep contemplation on this cycle of spiritual blindness and the true source of enduring value.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 49 is a wisdom psalm, part of a collection often attributed to the "Sons of Korah." It stands as a profound meditation on the transient nature of wealth and the universal reality of death, directly challenging the common ancient Near Eastern belief that prosperity was a sure sign of divine favor and that the wealthy were inherently secure. The psalm opens with a call for all people to listen to its wisdom (e.g., [Psalms 49:1](/psalms/49-1 "Psalms 49:1 - Call to Hear Wisdom")), contrasting the boastful confidence of the rich (e.g., [Psalms 49:6](/psalms/49-6 "Psalms 49:6 - Trusting in Riches")) with the psalmist's own trust in God. Verses 10-12 immediately precede verse 13, emphasizing that even the wise and the foolish, the rich and the poor, all die and leave their wealth to others. This stark reality underscores the "folly" mentioned in verse 13, as the rich, despite their grand estates and enduring names, cannot escape the grave, making their trust in wealth utterly irrational.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel and the broader ancient Near East, wealth often conferred significant status, power, and perceived security. Land ownership, large flocks, and accumulated silver and gold were tangible signs of success and often seen as blessings from the gods or God. There was a prevalent cultural assumption that the righteous would prosper and the wicked would suffer, leading to a theological dilemma when the wicked seemed to flourish. Psalms 49 directly confronts this assumption, particularly as it relates to the rich who oppress the poor or live self-sufficiently without regard for God. The "sayings" of the rich could refer to their maxims, their life philosophies, or even their boasts about their enduring legacies, which were often inscribed on monuments or passed down through family lines.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Psalms 49, powerfully encapsulated in verse 13, is the **futility of trusting in wealth** and the **inevitability of death**. The psalm argues that earthly riches, far from being a source of ultimate security or salvation, are ultimately powerless against the grave, a concept echoed in [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches Profit Not in the Day of Wrath"). Another significant theme is the **contrast between earthly wisdom and divine wisdom**. Those who trust in riches are depicted as "foolish," lacking true understanding of eternal realities, while the psalmist offers a perspective rooted in God's ultimate sovereignty and the hope of redemption. The verse also touches on the **generational perpetuation of error**, highlighting how destructive values can be passed down, creating a cycle of spiritual blindness that ignores the lessons of mortality, a warning found throughout wisdom literature, such as in the book of [Ecclesiastes](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes 1 - The Vanity of Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Folly (Hebrew, _kislam'_):** This word, derived from the root _kesel_, signifies foolishness, stupidity, or even dullness, often with a moral or spiritual connotation. It's not merely an intellectual error but a profound misjudgment of life's true priorities and eternal realities. In this context, it describes the fundamental spiritual blindness of those who trust in their wealth, failing to grasp its fleeting nature and their own mortality. It implies a lack of discernment regarding divine truth and the ultimate purpose of human existence.
* **Posterity (Hebrew, _'acharitham'_):** Meaning "their latter end," "their future," or "their descendants," this term emphasizes the generational aspect. It refers to the succeeding generations, the children and grandchildren of the wealthy who, despite witnessing the ultimate fate of their predecessors (who died and left their wealth behind), continue to embrace and validate the same misguided principles and values. This highlights a tragic cycle of inherited spiritual blindness.
* **Approve (Hebrew, _yirtzu'_):** From the root _ratsah_, meaning "to be pleased with," "to accept," "to delight in," or "to favor." This word indicates a willing and active endorsement. It's not just a passive inheritance of values but an affirmative acceptance and validation of the "sayings" or philosophy of their rich ancestors. This suggests a conscious choice to embrace the same path of trusting in wealth, despite its proven futility.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This their way [is] their folly":** This clause directly condemns the life path, conduct, or philosophy of those who trust in their wealth. Their "way" – their chosen course of life characterized by accumulation of riches and self-reliance – is fundamentally misguided and spiritually bankrupt. It is not merely a mistake, but a deep-seated "folly" rooted in a failure to acknowledge God's sovereignty and the reality of death. Their supposed wisdom in accumulating wealth is, in divine perspective, utter foolishness.
* **"yet their posterity approve their sayings":** This phrase reveals a tragic continuation of this folly across generations. Despite the clear evidence that wealth cannot save from death (as seen in the preceding verses), the descendants of these rich individuals not only observe but actively "approve" or "delight in" the maxims, philosophies, and boasts of their ancestors. They embrace the same misplaced values, perpetuating the cycle of trusting in fleeting material possessions rather than eternal truth. This suggests a profound spiritual blindness that resists the lessons of mortality.
* **"Selah":** This liturgical or musical notation serves as a pause for profound reflection. In the context of this verse, it compels the reader to stop and deeply consider the implications of what has just been stated: the tragic self-deception of the wealthy and the dangerous, seemingly unbreakable, cycle of spiritual blindness that afflicts their descendants. It is a call to meditate on the true nature of wisdom and the ultimate vanity of earthly pursuits.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is central, as those who are seemingly successful and wise in their own eyes (the rich) are declared to be living in "folly." Their "way" (their life's conduct) is inherently foolish. **Contrast** is implicit between the psalmist's divine perspective and the worldly perspective of the rich. The phrase "their way" functions as a **metonymy**, where the path represents their entire lifestyle and philosophy. The "sayings" of their posterity likewise stand for the entire worldview and values they inherit and endorse. The inclusion of **Selah** acts as a rhetorical device, not merely a musical instruction, but a deliberate call for the audience to pause, reflect, and internalize the weighty truth presented, emphasizing the profound and sobering nature of the observation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 49:13 powerfully articulates a core biblical truth: the inherent folly of placing ultimate trust in anything other than God. It underscores the vanity of human endeavors, particularly the accumulation of wealth, when pursued as an end in itself or as a source of security against the inevitable reality of death. This verse highlights the spiritual blindness that can afflict individuals and be passed down through generations, where the lessons of mortality are ignored in favor of fleeting material pursuits. The psalm consistently points to the ultimate equality of all before God in death, regardless of earthly status or possessions, and subtly contrasts this with the true, eternal redemption found only in the Lord.

* [Proverbs 11:28](/proverbs/11-28 "Proverbs 11:28 - Trusting in Riches Leads to Fall")
* [Ecclesiastes 2:18-19](/ecclesiastes/2-18-19 "Ecclesiastes 2:18-19 - Leaving Wealth to Others")
* [Luke 12:20-21](/luke/12-20-21 "Luke 12:20-21 - The Parable of the Rich Fool")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 49:13 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to critically examine the foundations of our own security and values. Do we, like the "posterity" described, uncritically "approve" and perpetuate the "sayings" and values of a world that often prioritizes material gain, status, and self-sufficiency above all else? This verse challenges us to break free from inherited patterns of spiritual blindness and to cultivate a discerning heart that recognizes the fleeting nature of all earthly possessions. True wisdom lies not in accumulating wealth or building earthly legacies, but in aligning our lives with eternal truths, trusting in God alone, and investing in what truly lasts. It calls us to consider what legacy we are building and what "sayings" we are passing on to future generations – will it be the folly of trusting in riches, or the enduring wisdom of faith in God?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "sayings" or values from your family or culture have you uncritically "approved" that might reflect a trust in worldly things rather than God?**
* **In what areas of your life do you find yourself seeking security or significance in material possessions or earthly achievements, rather than in Christ?**
* **How can you intentionally cultivate a legacy of faith and humility for future generations, countering the "folly" described in this verse?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to reorient your priorities from fleeting earthly pursuits to enduring spiritual riches?**

### FAQ
**What does "Selah" mean in the context of Psalms 49:13?**

Answer: "Selah" is a Hebrew word found frequently in the Psalms and Habakkuk, typically understood as a musical or liturgical instruction, possibly indicating a pause, an instrumental interlude, or a change in tempo. In the context of Psalms 49:13, it serves a profound rhetorical purpose. It acts as an exclamation mark, urging the reader to pause and deeply reflect on the weighty truth just presented: the tragic folly of those who trust in wealth and the generational perpetuation of this spiritual blindness. It's a call to meditate on the ultimate vanity of earthly pursuits and the need to seek true wisdom.

**Does this verse condemn all wealth or rich people?**

Answer: No, this verse, and the psalm as a whole, does not inherently condemn wealth itself or all wealthy individuals. Instead, it condemns the *trust* placed in wealth as a source of ultimate security, salvation, or enduring significance. The "folly" lies in the misplaced confidence that riches can protect one from death or secure one's eternal destiny. The psalm contrasts this with the true hope and redemption found in God, emphasizing that even the rich and powerful are ultimately equal before the grave ([Psalms 49:10](/psalms/49-10 "Psalms 49:10 - All Die, Leave Wealth")). The issue is the heart's posture towards wealth – whether it is served as a god or stewarded in light of God's sovereignty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 49:13, with its stark portrayal of the "folly" of trusting in wealth and the generational perpetuation of this error, finds its ultimate fulfillment and radical reversal in Jesus Christ. While the psalm laments humanity's inability to "redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him" ([Psalms 49:7](/psalms/49-7 "Psalms 49:7 - No Ransom for Life")), Christ is the one who *did* provide the ultimate ransom, not with "perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ" ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1-peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Christ's Blood")). The "folly" of the rich, who believe their wealth can secure their future, stands in stark contrast to the true wisdom found in Christ, who taught that "a person’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" ([Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Life Not in Possessions")). He consistently warned against the deceptive nature of riches, famously stating it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God ([Mark 10:25](/mark/10-25 "Mark 10:25 - Rich Man and the Kingdom")). In Christ, the generational curse of trusting in worldly "sayings" is broken; His teachings call us to store up "treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal" ([Matthew 6:20](/matthew/6-20 "Matthew 6:20 - Treasures in Heaven")). He is the true wisdom of God, and those who follow Him exchange the world's folly for the enduring, eternal riches of His kingdom ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 12:20

But God said unto him, [Thou] fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Luke 16:27

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:

Luke 16:28

For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

1 Corinthians 3:19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Luke 11:47

Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them.

Luke 11:48

Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.

Jeremiah 44:17

But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense unto the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for [then] had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.