Psalm 49:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?

NIV: those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?

NASB: Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches?

CSB: They trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches.

NLT: They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches.

KJV: They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

NKJV: Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches,

Wealth tempts us to think we don't need God or His mercy (Matthew 19:23–24). Those who defy God's will and become rich as a result are especially prone to believing they won't suffer consequences (Psalm 49:5). They might even brag about their illicit gains. A rich man—especially one with no respect for God—can believe money is the solution to all problems. Scripture reminds us, however, that earthly wealth cannot save one's soul (Proverbs 11:4).

Being rich is not a sin, itself. What's immoral is trusting in money rather than God or using wealth and power to abuse those with less resources. The apostle Paul called on Timothy to teach rich Christians not to be arrogant (1 Timothy 6:17). The writer of Proverbs counsels: "Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven" (Proverbs 23:4–5).

Jesus described the sad consequences of a rich man's overconfidence in wealth. After an abundant harvest, the man in Jesus' parable assumed he could live as he pleased without any worries (Luke 12:19). His boast was foolish, and he deceived himself. That night God parted him from his life, and his wealth, and the rich man faced God's judgment (Luke 12:20).

Psalm 49:5–12 begins to describe and unravel the "riddle" previously mentioned. Though God warns about sin, wicked people may still prosper on earth. This can be discouraging to those who follow God but suffer at the hands of evil people. As the psalmist explains, ungodly people can only have a false sense of security. Wealth cannot buy pardon from sin. Ultimately, they will die and leave their wealth to others. The God-honoring person, however, has nothing to fear in eternity.

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.