Psalm 49:1 - Printer Friendly

ESV: To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

NIV: For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world,

NASB: Hear this, all peoples; Listen, all inhabitants of the world,

CSB: Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who inhabit the world,

NLT: Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world!

KJV: {To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.} Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

NKJV: {To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.} Hear this, all peoples; Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

The psalmist begins by calling upon the entire world to hear what he has to say. "World" in this context means "the entire human race." The topic to be discussed in this song is relevant to all people, in all cultures, and at all times.

Christians, too, call upon the whole human race to hear what they have to say. Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel, the good news of salvation (Matthew 28:19–20). Forty days after rising from the grave, He issued a similar command and specified where the good news should be proclaimed. He said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). It is the privilege and responsibility of every Christian to share the good news. Romans 10:14 challenges: "And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?"

The "choirmaster" noted here was probably an official overseeing music and singing in the temple. This fits the mention of the Sons of Korah. They were the descendants of those who survived God's judgment after the exodus, and who became known for their connection to music (Numbers 16:25–32; 26:9–11).

Psalm 49:1–4 introduces the topic of the rest of the song. What the psalmist is about to say is crucial for everyone. It is a wise message that discusses a difficult topic—a "riddle"—which many people struggle to understand. The rest of the psalm discusses the frustration of seeing evil people prosper in the world, while there are good people who suffer.

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.