Psalm 49: An Intimation Of Immorality Series

Note that the words “trust” (meaning, “to confide in’) and “boast” in verse 6 occur elsewhere only with reference to God. So here they must be used in sarcasm to show that people worship their possessions as if they were gods.

7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:

8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)

9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

These men who fascinate you so much, are wealthy. They can buy whatever they want, but they cannot buy their way out of the solemn experience of death, nor can they avoid standing before the great Judge who will sentence them to eternal punishment in the place prepared for the devil and his angels. Wealthy men, who are accustomed to ransoming themselves out of punishment, cannot rescue themselves from the common lot of all men who reject Jesus. And his money cannot “redeem his brother,” nor enable the rich man to “live for ever.” Nothing less than the sacrifice of God’s own Son could redeem the soul and give eternal life: “Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:17-21, NIV).

Anyone who dies without having accepted Christ as their Savior, is left with a tomb for a house. He will never know when others see his fancy grave or hear his name connected with some property he owned or other possessions. A common image of the ancient people was of death (personified) devouring the living (Job to 18:13; 24:19). In some cultures the perception of death was that of a ravenous monster always on the prowl.

Since a rich man can never bribe God, there is no reason for people like us to be afraid of him. He is not eternal; only God is eternal. Nor can being a believer exempt you from dying.

10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.

11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.

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

Highly intelligent professors who teach in our great universities and “fools” are alike in this respect: both will eventually “die” and go to their graves, which will remain their abodes until they decay and turn to dust. “Their names,” though, will live on, for the buildings and companies which they leave to others continue to be called by their names. But they themselves pass away, and their “wealth” passes into other hands. Even the richest man becomes poor at death, because you can’t take anything with you. Moreover, because of their wealth such men are honored by others during their lifetime. Yet if they lack moral discernment, and they use their wealth to browbeat others, they are no better than dumb animals and are doomed to the same fate as all other unbelievers. This is particularly the case with those who lack moral discernment and therefore make wrong decisions, and yet take delight in silver and gold. But it is also the case with those whom, regardless of whether or not they possess it, consider material wealth as something essential to their happiness. Since worldly wealth produces spiritual blindness it is a very perilous thing. It can have a deadly effect upon the person who owns it. He tends to confuse truth with error and time with eternity.