Verse 1. “Hear this, all ye people: give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.” In all cases, as far as my experience and observations reach, they who have received partial religious instruction, will hear a new minister so long as he tells them what they already know or believe. This is the standard by which they try his doctrine. But if he attempts to rectify their errors, however manifest, they will take offence, and probably forsake his ministry, accusing him of some deviation from sound doctrine as their reason for so doing.
Thomas Scott
Verse 6. “They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches.” The shape of money agrees well with the condition of it; for it is made round, because it is so apt to run from a man. Thus death makes a violent divorce between men and their goods, when it is said to them, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.”
J. D.
Verse 7. “None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.” Rich men can do great things, but here is a thing that they cannot do: “None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him.”
Verse 9. “That he should still live forever, and not see corruption.” They eat as if they meant to die tomorrow, and yet build as if they were never to die. They neither rightly remember their mortality nor their immortality.
Robert Leighton
Verse 11. “Their inward thought is that their houses shall continue for ever…” Mr. A. was a wealthy farmer in Massachusetts, about sixty years of age, whose life ambition it had been to acquire property. His neighbour B. owned a small farm, which came very close to A's extended domain, and was quite a blot on his landscape. B. became financially embarrassed, and was sued, judgments were obtained, but at the last minute, the debt was paid off without the farm having to be sold. When A. heard of the payment of the debt, he was grieved, but consoled himself with this thought – “Well, B. is an old man, and cannot live long, and when he dies I can buy the lot.” B. was fifty-eight, A. was sixty! Reader, do you ever expect to die?
Irvine's Anecdotes
Verse 14. “Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them…” The unbelievers are laid in the grave “like sheep.” They lived like wolves or lions, but are laid in the grave like sheep. If it be asked, why like sheep? I answer, not on account of the innocency of their lives, but on account of their impotency in their death. As it has been said, when once death took in hand to lay them in the grave, they could make no more resistance than a sheep against a wolf or a lion. And when death has thus laid them in the grave, then, saith the Psalmist, “Death shall feed on them,” just as a lion does upon a sheep, or a wolf upon its prey.
Joseph Caryl
Verse 17. “When he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.” A believer of great reputation for wisdom and faithfulness was met by a student just entering the University of which he was a professor. “My parents have just given me leave to study the law,” said the young man, “and I have come to this University on account of its reputation in the subject.” “And when you have got through your studies,” said the older man, “What then?” “Then I shall take my doctor's degree.” “And then?” asked the professor again. “And then I shall have a number of difficult cases to manage which will increase my fame, and I shall gain a reputation.” “And then?” repeated the professor. “Why, then there cannot be a question, but I shall be promoted to some high office or other; I shall make money and grow rich.” “And then?” came the question again. “And then,” spoke up the young man, “I shall live in honour and dignity, and be able to look forward to a happy old age.” “And then?” insisted the believing Professor. “And then,” hesitated the student, “And then I shall die.” “And then?” asked the old man for the last time.
The Clerical Library
Verse 20. “ … like the beasts that perish.” Take a man that has lived like the fool in the gospel, and tell me, what has that man done for his immortal soul more than a beast has done for its perishing soul?
Francis Cheynell
Verse 20. “Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.” He begins in verse 1 with a call to “Hear,” and concludes with a description of those who refuse to “Understand”.
This Page Title – Gleanings in the Psalms – Psalm 49 The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 90 – placed on line May 2011 Magazine web address – www.wicketgate.co.uk |