Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 49

Money is the perceived key to everything in this life. It has been said often that money cannot buy happiness. Maybe not. But it sure can buy a lot of stuff that is fun and can give temporary happiness, or at least provide a nice distraction from your troubles. But there is one thing money cannot buy; eternal life. The psalmist in Psalm 49 gives us a lesson in the folly of making money an idol or in worrying about others who have it.

Psalm 49:1-4

Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together!  My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.  I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.

The rich have a lot of power in our world. And they often use it to control people through that power. But the psalmist reminds us not to fear them.

Psalm 49:5-6
Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?

And why not?

Psalm 49:7-9
Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, that he should live on forever and never see the pit.

Death is coming to all. The old saying “you can’t take it with you is true.”

Psalm 49:10-12
For he sees that even the wise die; the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.  Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names.  Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.

Death is permanent. Where you end up afterward is an eternal dwelling place. Heaven or hell. You can deny the existence of hell, but that doesn’t change its reality.

Psalm 49:13-14
This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah  Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.

Where is your confidence? In money or in Christ?

Psalm 49:15
But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. Selah

It may seem the rich and powerful are in control, but God is sovereign. He has placed us where we are. There is no reason to fear the rich.

Psalm 49:16-20
Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases.  For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.  For though, while he lives, he counts himself blessed —and though you get praise when you do well for yourself—  his soul will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never again see light. Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.

I leave you with a simple truth from the very mouth of Jesus. Follow it and you shall not only spend eternity with God, you will also have everything you need to live this life in joy.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Thank you Jesus.