Psalm 49
Geneva Study Bible
<> Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:
<> Hear {a} this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

(a) He will intreat how God governs the world by his providence which cannot be perceived by the judgment of the flesh.

Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
Both low and high, rich and poor, together.
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.
Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
Wherefore should I {b} fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

(b) Though wickedness reigns and enemies rage, seeing God will execute his judgments against the wicked at a suitable time.

They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
They that trust in their {c} wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

(c) To trust in riches is madness, seeing they can neither restore life, nor prolong it.

None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)
(For the redemption of their soul is {d} precious, {e} and it ceaseth for ever:)

(d) That is, so rare or not to be found, as prophecy was precious in the days of Eli, 1Sa 3:1.

(e) Meaning it is impossible to live for ever: also that life and death are only in God's hands.

That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
For he seeth that wise men {f} die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to {g} others.

(f) In that that death makes no difference between the persons.

(g) That is, not to their children, but to strangers. Yet the wicked profit not by these examples, but still dream of immortality on earth.

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

(h) Concerning the death of the body.

This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
This their way is their folly: yet their posterity {i} approve their sayings. Selah.

(i) They speak and do the same thing that their fathers did.

Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
{k} Like sheep they are laid in the grave; {l} death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the {m} morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

(k) As sheep are gathered into the fold, so shall they be brought to the grave.

(l) Because they have no part of life everlasting.

(m) Christ's coming is as the morning, when the elect will reign with Christ their head over the wicked.

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.
Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and {n} men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

(n) The flatterers praise them who live in delight and pleasures.

He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.
{o} He shall go to the generation of his fathers; {p} they shall never see light.

(o) And not pass the term appointed for life.

(p) Both they and their fathers will live here but a while and at length die forever.

Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
Man that is in honour, and {q} understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

(q) He condemns man's ingratitude, who having received excellent gifts from God, abuses them like a beast to his own condemnation.

The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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