Psalm 49:15 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.

NASB: But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah

CSB: But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol, for he will take me. Selah

NLT: But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. Interlude

KJV: But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

NKJV: But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah

The psalmist's confidence was not anchored in material goods (Psalm 49:10–13), but in God's grace. He knew God would keep his soul from death and the grave, here referred to using the word Sheol. The wicked who reject God will suffer eternal death, but those who come to faith in God have life beyond the grave.

This gives reasons to anticipate a glorious reception. Although Job lived long before the Scriptures were written, he had a similar confidence. He declared, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another" (Job 19:25–27). The apostle Peter encourages Christians to anticipate the unveiling of Jesus Christ at His coming. At that time, the testing of their faith will result in praise, honor, and glory (1 Peter 1:7). Furthermore, Christians can "rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory" (1 Peter 1:8).

Psalm 49:13–20 further explains what happens to wicked people who trust in money rather than in God. Sheol—death and the grave—is their destiny. Righteous people should not be jealous of them or fear them. The rich leave everything behind when they die, no different than a poor person. For a second time, the writer compares physical death to that of animals.

The "riddle" in question is the fact that some rich persons are also wicked and ungodly. Rich and poor, alike, should remember that money is temporary. It is not a substitute for God's approval. All people face death and God's judgment. There is no reason to envy a person who has earthly wealth but lacks eternal hope.

As did Psalm 73, this passage tackles the riddle of how to respond to prosperity among those who reject God. Just as did Asaph (Psalm 73:15–19), the psalmist concludes that the prosperous wicked face a hopeless end. The righteous have an endless hope. This psalm is rightfully regarded as a wisdom psalm. Several themes, such as the temporary nature of wealth, are echoed in the book of Proverbs.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/21/2024 10:35:18 AM