6 Even those who trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches ? 7 No man can by any means redeem his brother Or give to God a ransom for him- 8 For the redemption of his soul is costly , And he should cease trying forever - 9 That he should live on eternally , That he should not undergo decay . 10 For he sees that even wise men die ; The stupid and the senseless alike perish And leave their wealth to others . 11 Their inner thought is that their houses are forever And their dwelling places to all generations ; They have called their lands after their own names . 12 But man in his pomp will not endure ; He is like the beasts that perish . 13 This is the way of those who are foolish , And of those after them who approve their words . Selah . 14 As sheep they are appointed for Sheol ; Death shall be their shepherd ; And the upright shall rule over them in the morning , And their form shall be for Sheol to consume So that they have no habitation .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 49:6-14
Commentary on Psalm 49:6-14
(Read Psalm 49:6-14)
Here is a description of the spirit and way of worldly people. A man may have wealth, and may have his heart enlarged in love, thankfulness, and obedience, and may do good with it. Therefore it is not men's having riches that proves them to be worldly, but their setting their hearts upon them as the best things. Worldly men have only some floating thoughts of the things of God, while their fixed thoughts, their inward thoughts, are about the world; that lies nearest the heart. But with all their wealth they cannot save the life of the dearest friend they have. This looks further, to the eternal redemption to be wrought out by the Messiah. The redemption of the soul shall cost very dear; but, being once wrought, it shall never need to be repeated. And he, the Redeemer, shall rise again before he sees corruption, and then shall live for evermore, Daniel 12:2. Let us now judge of things as they will appear in that day. The beauty of holiness is that alone which the grave cannot touch, or damage.