What does Psalm 49:11 mean?
No matter how rich and successful a person is, they will one day die and leave behind every physical possession they had (Hebrews 9:27). They will face God and be judged without any hope of using wealth to buy their way into heaven (Proverbs 11:4). Even the most famous, legacy-leaving hero of a nation will still die and be subject to examination by the Lord (Psalm 49:7–10).Ultimately, those who reject God in this life will suffer in torment (Luke 16:22–31). When they are resurrected, it will be to face the Lord at the great white throne judgment. Then they will enter the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:11–15). A search of the Lamb's book of life will determine that they failed to trust in Jesus as their Savior (John 3:16–18). Trusting in Him is the only way to guarantee that a person will spend eternity in heaven (John 1:12; 3:36).
This ominous truth should make Christians less discouraged when it seems that evil people are gaining wealth and power (Psalm 49:5–6; 73:2–3). Whatever they gain is pitiful, tiny, and temporary, compared to eternity (Psalm 73:15–20).