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Commentary on Psalms 49 verses 15–20
Good reason is here given to good people,
I. Why they should not be afraid of death. There is no cause for that fear if they have such a comfortable prospect as David here has of a happy state on the other side death, Psa 49:15. He had shown (Psa 49:14) how miserable the dead are that die in their sins, where he shows how blessed the dead are that die in the Lord. The distinction of men's outward condition, how great a difference soever it makes in life, makes none at death; rich and poor meet in the grave. But the distinction of men's spiritual state, though, in this life, it makes a small difference, where all things come alike to all, yet, at and after death, it makes a very great one. Now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. The righteous has hope in his death, so has David here hope in God concerning his soul. Note, The believing hopes of the soul's redemption from the grave, and reception to glory, are the great support and joy of the children of God in a dying hour. They hope,
I. That God will redeem their souls from the power of the grave, which includes, (1.) The preserving of the soul from going to the grave with the body. The grave has a power over the body, by virtue of the sentence (Gen 3:19), and it is cruel enough in executing that power (Sol 8:6); but is has no such power over the soul. It has power to silence, and imprison, and consume the body; but the soul then moves, and acts, and converses, more freely than ever (Rev 6:9, Rev 6:10); it is immaterial and immortal. When death breaks the dark lantern, yet it does not extinguish the candle that was pent up in it. (2.) The reuniting of the soul and body at the resurrection. The soul is often put for the life; that indeed falls under the power of the grave for a time, but is hall, at length, be redeemed from it, when mortality shall be swallowed up of life. The God of life, that was its Creator at first, can and will be its Redeemer at last. (3.) The salvation of the soul from eternal ruin: "God shall redeem my soul from the sheol of hell (Psa 49:15), the wrath to come, that pit of destruction into which the wicked shall be cast," Psa 49:14. It is a great comfort to dying saints that they shall not be hurt of the second death (Rev 2:11), and therefore the first death has no sting and the grave no victory.
2.That he will receive them to himself. He redeems their souls, that he may receive them. Psa 31:5, Into thy hands I commit my spirit, for thou has redeemed it. He will receive them into his favour, will admit them into his kingdom, into the mansions that he prepared for them (Joh 14:2, Joh 14:3), those everlasting habitations, Luk 16:9.
II. Why they should not be afraid of the prosperity and power of wicked people in this world, which, as it is their pride and joy, has often been the envy, and grief, and terror of the righteous, which yet, all things considered, there is no reason for.
1.He supposes the temptation very strong to envy the prosperity of sinners, and to be afraid that they will carry all before them with a high hand, that with their wealth and interest they will run down religion and religious people, and that they will be found the truly happy people; for he supposes, (1.) That they are made rich, and so are enabled to give law to all about them and have every thing at command. Pecuniae obediunt omnes et omnia - Every person and every thing obey the commanding influence of money. (2.) That the glory of their house, from very small beginnings, is increased greatly, which naturally makes men haughty, insolent, and imperious, Psa 5:1-12 :16. Thus they seem to be the favourites of heaven, and therefore formidable. (3.) That they are very easy and secure in themselves and in their own minds (Psa 49:18): In his life-time he blessed his soul; that is, he thought himself a very happy man, such a one as he would be, and a very good man, such a one as he should be, because he prospered in the world. He blessed his soul, as that rich fool who said to his soul, "Soul, take thy ease, and be not disturbed either with cares and fears about the world or with the rebukes and admonitions of conscience. All is well, and will be well for ever." Note, [1.] It is of great consequence to consider what that is in which we bless our souls, upon the score of which we think well of ourselves. Believers bless themselves in the God of truth (Isa 65:16) and think themselves happy if he be theirs; carnal people bless themselves in the wealth of the world, and think themselves happy if they have abundance of that. [2.] There are many whose precious souls lie under God's curse, and yet they do themselves bless them; they applaud that in themselves which God condemns, and speak peace to themselves when God denounces war against them. Yet this is not all. (4.) They are in good reputation among their neighbours: "Men will praise thee, and cry thee up, as having done well for thyself in raising such an estate and family." This is the sentiment of all the children of this world, that those do best for themselves that do most for their bodies, by heaping up riches, though, at the same time, nothing is done for the soul, nothing for eternity; and accordingly they bless the covetous, whom the Lord abhors, Psa 10:3. If men were to be our judges, it were our wisdom thus to recommend ourselves to their good opinion: but what will it avail us to be approved of men if God condemn us? Dr. Hammond understands this of the good man here spoken to, for it is the second person, not of the wicked man spoken of: "He, in his life-time, blessed his soul, but thou shalt be praised for doing well unto thyself. The worldling magnified himself; but thou that dost not, like him, speak well of thyself, but do well for thyself, in securing thy eternal welfare, thou shalt be praised, if not of men, yet of God, which will be thy everlasting honour."
2.He suggests that which is sufficient to take off the strength of the temptation, by directing us to look forward to the end of prosperous sinners (Psa 73:17): "Think what they will be in the other world, and you will see no cause to envy them what they are and have in this world."
(1.)In the other world they will be never the better for all the wealth and prosperity they are now so fond of. It is a miserable portion, which will not last so long as they must (Psa 49:17): When he dies it is taken for granted that he goes into another world himself, but he shall carry nothing away with him of all that which he has been so long heaping up. The greatest and wealthiest cannot therefore be the happiest, because they are never the better for their living in this world; as they came naked into it, they shall go naked out of it. But those have something to show in the other world for their living in this world who can say, through grace, that though they came corrupt, and sinful, and spiritually naked, into it, they go renewed, and sanctified, and well clothed with the righteousness of Christ, out of it. Those that are rich in the graces and comforts of the Spirit have something which, when they die, they shall carry away with them, something which death cannot strip them of, nay, which death will be the improvement of; but, as for worldly possessions, as we brought nothing into the world (what we have we had from others), so it is certain that we shall carry nothing out, but leave it to others, Ti1 6:7. They shall descend, but their glory, that which they called and counted their glory, and gloried in, shall not descend after them to lessen the disgrace of death and the grave, to bring them off in the judgment, or abate the torments of hell. Grace is glory that will ascend with us, but no earthly glory will descend after us.
(2.)In the other world they will be infinitely the worse for all their abuses of the wealth and prosperity they enjoyed in this world (Psa 49:19): The soul shall go to the generation of his fathers, his worldly wicked fathers, whose sayings he approved and whose steps he trod in, his fathers who would not hearken to the word of God, Zac 1:4. He shall go to be there where they are that shall never see light, shall never have the least glimpse of comfort and joy, being condemned to utter darkness. Be not afraid then of the pomp and power of wicked people; for the end of the man that is in honour, if he be not wise and good, will be miserable; if he understand not, he is to be pitied rather than envied. A fool, a wicked man, in honour, is really as despicable an animal as any under the sun; he is like the beasts that perish (Psa 49:20); nay, it is better to be a beast than to be a man that makes himself like a beast. Men in honour that understand, that know and do their duty and make conscience of it, are as gods, and children of the Most High. But men in honour that understand not, that are proud, and sensual, and oppressive, are as beasts, and they shall perish, like the beasts, ingloriously as to this world, though not, like the beasts, indemnified as to another world. Let prosperous sinners therefore be afraid for themselves, but let not even suffering saints be afraid of them.
When you see the unjust becoming rich and the just poor, do not fear for yourself; do not be dismayed in mind, as if the providence of God is nowhere looking on human affairs, or perhaps, somewhere there is a divine watchfulness, but it does not reach to places near the earth, so as to watch over our affairs; for, if there were a providence, it would be apportioning to each person what is proper to him, so that the just, who understand how to use wealth, would be rich, but the wicked, who have wealth as the instrument of their wickedness, would be poor.… Now, since there are many who have such notions and who, because of the apparent inconsistency of the distribution of the fortunes of life, assume that the world is not the work of providence, the Scripture addresses these to calm their uninstructed emotion.… Do not be faint about present affairs, but await that blessed and everlasting life. Then you will see that poverty and contempt and the lack of luxuries befall the just person for his good. And do not be troubled now about imagined good things, as though they were unjustly divided. You will hear how it will be said to a certain rich man, “You in your lifetime have received good things,” but to the poor person that he receives evils in his life. As a consequence, therefore, the latter is consoled, but the former suffers pain.
...Perchance your heart says, Wretch that I am, I suppose to no purpose I have believed, God does not regard things human. God therefore does awaken us: and He says what? "Fear not, though a man have become rich" [Psalm 49:16]. For why did you fear, because a man has become rich? You feared that you had believed to no purpose, that perchance you should have lost the labour for your faith, and the hope of your conversion: because perchance there has come in your way gain with guilt, and you could have been rich, if you had seized upon that same gain with the guilt, and needed not have laboured; and you, remembering what God has threatened, have refrained from guilt, and have contemned the gain: you see another man that has made gain by guilt, and has suffered no harm; and you fear to be good. "Fear not," says the Spirit of God to you, "though a man shall have become rich." Would you not have eyes but for things present? Things future He has promised, who has risen again; peace in this world, and repose in this life, He has not promised. Every man does seek repose; a good thing he is seeking, but not in the proper region thereof he is seeking it. There is no peace in this life; in Heaven has been promised that which on earth we are seeking: in the world to come has been promised that which in this world we are seeking.
After this he provides explanation and advice for those condemned to a life of poverty and worn out through the arrogance of the rich.… Do not consider present prosperity any great thing, he is saying: wealth that catches all eyes is not lasting; those who raise their eyebrows and are puffed up at it will shortly after leave it all behind and be dispatched to death.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 49:16 offers a profound and timeless admonition, urging the faithful not to succumb to fear, anxiety, or envy when confronted with the transient material prosperity and increasing social status of the unrighteous. This verse, situated within a wisdom psalm, challenges the common human tendency to measure worth and security by outward appearances of wealth, redirecting the listener's focus from fleeting earthly glory to the enduring truths of God's sovereign justice and the ultimate, spiritual destiny of all humanity beyond the grave. It provides a foundational perspective for maintaining inner peace and trust in God amidst the often-perplexing realities of worldly success.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 49:16 skillfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Admonition, presented as a direct, imperative command ("Be not thou afraid"), which immediately establishes the psalmist's didactic intent to guide the listener's emotional and spiritual response. This admonition is powerfully reinforced by Parallelism, specifically Synonymous Parallelism, where the second clause ("when the glory of his house is increased") reiterates and amplifies the idea presented in the first ("when one is made rich"). Both phrases describe the same phenomenon of burgeoning worldly prosperity, thereby emphasizing the context for the command. The psalm also utilizes vivid Imagery related to material wealth and the "house," which serves as a concrete and universally understood symbol for earthly security, status, and legacy. This imagery sets up a crucial contrast with the intangible, eternal realities that the psalmist champions throughout the broader psalm. The overall tone is one of profound Didacticism, as the psalm aims to instruct and impart divine wisdom regarding a complex and often perplexing theological issue: the transient nature of worldly success versus the enduring hope in God.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The profound wisdom embedded in Psalms 49:16 resonates deeply with broader biblical teachings concerning the ephemeral nature of material possessions and the enduring, eternal value of spiritual realities. It serves as a powerful counter-narrative to the human tendency to equate prosperity with divine favor or ultimate security, instead redirecting our trust from fleeting earthly treasures to the steadfast character and unwavering promises of God. This verse functions as a crucial antidote to the corrosive effects of envy and anxiety, fostering a spirit of contentment and cultivating a heavenly perspective that transcends the superficial allure of worldly comparisons. It underscores the foundational biblical truth that true worth, lasting peace, and ultimate security are not found in what one possesses or accumulates, but in one's intimate relationship with the Creator, who alone possesses the power to redeem from the grip of the grave and grant eternal life.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a contemporary world that relentlessly measures success by wealth, social status, and material accumulation, Psalms 49:16 offers a timeless, counter-cultural, and profoundly liberating perspective. It calls us to deeply examine the root of our anxieties, our desires, and our comparisons, challenging the insidious lie that greater possessions, a more impressive "house," or elevated social standing will bring ultimate security, happiness, or fulfillment. This verse encourages us to cultivate a profound and unwavering sense of contentment in God's faithful provision and His eternal promises, rather than allowing the apparent prosperity or increasing "glory" of others to stir envy, fear, or a restless, unceasing striving for more. It serves as a potent reminder that all earthly glory is inherently temporary and cannot accompany us beyond the grave. Our true security, our lasting peace, and our ultimate inheritance lie not in what we accumulate in this life, but in our eternal hope in God, who promises to redeem us from the power of death and to receive us to Himself. Living by this profound truth frees us from the tyranny of comparison, the burden of covetousness, and the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits, empowering us instead to invest our lives in what truly lasts: spiritual riches, righteous living, and a deep, abiding, and unshakeable trust in the Lord.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse mean that all wealth is inherently bad or that rich people are necessarily evil?
Answer: No, this verse does not condemn wealth itself, nor does it imply that all rich people are inherently evil. Rather, the core message of Psalms 49:16 addresses the human tendency to be intimidated, envious, or disquieted by the visible prosperity of others, particularly when it appears to be disconnected from righteousness or justice. The psalm's overarching focus is on the futility of trusting in wealth for ultimate security, redemption, or lasting significance, and the temporary nature of all earthly glory. The problem is not wealth as an entity, but the fear, envy, or misplaced trust it can provoke in the human heart. The Bible consistently teaches that wealth can be used for good, for God's glory, and for the benefit of others, as seen in Proverbs 3:9-10. However, it also issues stern and consistent warnings against the dangers of loving money, making it an idol, or placing one's ultimate hope in it, as powerfully articulated in 1 Timothy 6:10.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 49:16 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodied the wisdom it imparts and provided the definitive answer to the problem of fleeting earthly glory and the fear it can incite. While the psalmist points to God's ultimate redemption from the grave as the source of hope (Psalms 49:15), Christ is the very embodiment and guarantor of that redemption. He consistently taught His disciples not to store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal, but to lay up imperishable treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21), directly addressing the folly of trusting in earthly "glory" and its transient nature. Jesus Himself, though infinitely "rich" in divine glory, "yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" in spiritual and eternal blessings (2 Corinthians 8:9). His kingdom is emphatically "not of this world" (John 18:36), and His true followers are those who seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, trusting that all necessary earthly provisions will be added to them (Matthew 6:33). The fear, anxiety, and envy that Psalms 49:16 warns against are ultimately overcome by the profound peace, security, and eternal hope found exclusively in Christ, who has triumphed over death and the grave, offering an eternal inheritance that no earthly wealth can compare to, diminish, or take away (Colossians 3:1-4). He is our true and lasting "glory," far surpassing any earthly house or fleeting prosperity.