Psalms 49:19

He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

He shall go {H935}{H8799)} to the generation {H1755} of his fathers {H1}; they shall never {H3808}{H5331} see {H7200}{H8799)} light {H216}.

but he will join his ancestors' generations and never again see light.

he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of day.

He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see the light.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 49:19 (KJV)

Psalms 49:19, "He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light," is a somber declaration within a psalm that powerfully critiques the fleeting nature of worldly wealth and the ultimate equality of all before death. This verse concludes a section describing the fate of those who trust in their riches and boast of their abundance.

Context

Psalm 49 is a wisdom psalm, presented as a meditation for all people (verse 1). Its primary purpose is to contrast the superficial security of the wealthy who ignore God with the enduring hope of the righteous. The psalm highlights that no amount of wealth can buy redemption from death or eternal life (Psalms 49:7-9). Verse 19 specifically describes the unavoidable end of the self-reliant rich, emphasizing their ultimate demise and lack of spiritual foresight.

Key Themes

  • The Universality of Death: "He shall go to the generation of his fathers" underscores the inevitable reality that death awaits everyone, regardless of their earthly status or possessions. Even the most powerful and wealthy cannot escape the grave, joining all who have gone before them. This echoes the sentiment found in Ecclesiastes 3:20, that "all go unto one place."
  • The Emptiness of Earthly Riches: The verse reinforces the psalm's central message about the futility of trusting in worldly riches. When death comes, wealth offers no advantage or salvation, highlighting the profound wisdom in the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:20, where a man's abundant possessions could not save him from death.
  • Spiritual Darkness and Separation: The phrase "they shall never see light" is a powerful metaphor. In biblical understanding, "light" often symbolizes life, joy, truth, salvation, and God's presence. The absence of light signifies a state of utter darkness, spiritual separation, and perhaps a lack of divine favor or understanding. It suggests an eternal state of being cut off from the true source of life and hope. This contrasts sharply with the hope offered to the righteous in Psalms 49:15, where God "shall redeem my soul from the power of the grave."

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "light" here is 'or (אוֹר), which is a common term for physical light but is also extensively used metaphorically in Scripture. Its absence, "never see light," speaks to a profound and permanent spiritual darkness. It's not merely about not seeing the sun, but about a complete lack of divine illumination, truth, or the presence of God, who is Himself light (1 John 1:5). Jesus declared Himself to be the Light of the World, and to "never see light" implies being eternally outside of His life-giving presence.

Practical Application

Psalms 49:19 serves as a potent reminder for contemporary readers. It prompts us to evaluate where our ultimate trust and hope lie. Is it in material possessions, status, or fleeting earthly achievements? Or is it in the eternal God who offers true and lasting light? The verse encourages us to pursue spiritual wisdom and an eternal perspective, understanding that our true security is found not in what we accumulate, but in our relationship with the Creator. It challenges us to live in light of eternity, seeking the spiritual "light" that brings true life and joy, rather than risking the ultimate "darkness" of separation from God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • Job 33:30 (5 votes)

    To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

  • Genesis 15:15 (4 votes)

    And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

  • Psalms 56:13 (4 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?

  • Matthew 22:13 (2 votes)

    Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

  • Jude 1:13 (2 votes)

    Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:21 (2 votes)

    Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

  • 1 Kings 16:6 (2 votes)

    So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead.