Psalms 49:15

¶ But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

But God {H430} will redeem {H6299}{H8799)} my soul {H5315} from the power {H3027} of the grave {H7585}: for he shall receive {H3947}{H8799)} me. Selah {H5542}.

But God will redeem me from Sh'ol's control, because he will receive me. (Selah)

But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah

But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol; For he will receive me. [Selah

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 49:15 (KJV)

Psalms 49:15 stands as a beacon of hope and divine promise within a psalm largely dedicated to contrasting the transient nature of worldly wealth with the enduring hope of the righteous. This verse offers a powerful declaration of God's redemptive power over death and the grave.

Context

Psalm 49 is a wisdom psalm, designed to teach profound truths about life, death, and eternity. The preceding verses (Psalms 49:6-14) vividly describe the futility of trusting in riches. The psalmist observes that even the wealthiest individuals cannot buy their way out of death, nor can they redeem a loved one from the grave. They are likened to beasts that perish (Psalms 49:12). Verse 15 dramatically shifts the focus from this bleak reality of human limitation to the boundless power of God, asserting a distinct and hopeful destiny for the righteous.

Key Themes

  • Divine Redemption: The central theme is God's unique ability to "redeem" the soul. This isn't a human act of ransom but a divine intervention, demonstrating God's sovereignty even over death itself. It foreshadows the ultimate redemption offered through Christ, who conquered death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
  • Hope Beyond the Grave: The phrase "from the power of the grave" speaks to a deliverance from the ultimate dominion of death. While Old Testament understanding of the afterlife was developing, this verse expresses a profound confidence that the righteous would not be utterly consumed by Sheol (the realm of the dead) but would experience a special deliverance.
  • God's Personal Reception: "For he shall receive me" highlights an intimate and personal relationship between God and the psalmist. This implies more than just avoiding destruction; it suggests being taken into God's presence, a destiny distinct from the common fate of all humanity. This echoes the experience of Enoch, who was "taken" by God (Genesis 5:24), and is echoed in later psalms like Psalms 73:24.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Redeem" (Hebrew: padah): This term signifies deliverance, often by payment of a ransom or through a strong act of liberation from bondage or danger. Here, it refers to God's act of rescuing the soul from the clutches of death.
  • "Grave" (Hebrew: Sheol): In the Old Testament, Sheol refers to the underworld, the common abode of the dead. The psalmist's confidence is that God's power extends beyond this realm, or that he will be rescued from its finality.
  • "Receive me" (Hebrew: laqach): This verb can mean to take, fetch, or receive. Its use here conveys a sense of personal acceptance and intimate fellowship with God, suggesting a destiny that transcends the mere cessation of life.
  • "Selah": This word, appearing at the end of the verse, is a musical or meditative instruction, prompting a pause to reflect deeply on the profound truth just stated—the glorious hope of divine redemption.

Practical Application

Psalms 49:15 offers profound comfort and direction for believers today. It reminds us that our ultimate hope and security do not rest on our financial status, worldly achievements, or human power, but solely on God's redemptive work. In a world often preoccupied with material gain, this verse points us to an eternal perspective, emphasizing that God has power over death and offers a personal relationship that extends beyond the grave. It encourages us to place our trust in God's ultimate plan of salvation and resurrection, a hope fully realized in Jesus Christ, who declared Himself "the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25).

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 73:24 (11 votes)

    Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me [to] glory.

  • Psalms 56:13 (9 votes)

    For thou hast delivered my soul from death: [wilt] not [thou deliver] my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

  • Psalms 86:13 (8 votes)

    For great [is] thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

  • Psalms 89:48 (7 votes)

    What man [is he that] liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.

  • Psalms 16:10 (5 votes)

    For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

  • Psalms 16:11 (5 votes)

    Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

  • Hosea 13:14 (5 votes)

    I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.