Psalm 49:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.

NIV: for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.

NASB: For when he dies, he will take nothing with him; His wealth will not descend after him.

CSB: For when he dies, he will take nothing at all; his wealth will not follow him down.

NLT: For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.

KJV: For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.

NKJV: For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.

The psalmist points out that when a wicked rich person dies, he takes nothing with him (Psalm 49:10). A common proverb in English is the expression "you can't take it with you." Whatever possessions, money, and fame a person gains in their lifetime are left behind entirely when they depart for the grave.

Solomon muses in Ecclesiastes 5:15: "As he came from his mother's womb he shall go again, naked as he came, and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand." Alexander the Great conquered numerous lands and built a name for himself when barely beyond thirty years old. But he took nothing with him into eternity. Christians cannot carry any wealth or possessions with them when they die. However, they can be good stewards of what God gives (1 Corinthians 4:2) and serve the Master faithfully. As a result, they will find rewards waiting for them in heaven (Luke 6:22–23; 1 Corinthians 9:24–25; 2 Timothy 4:7–8; Revelation 22:12).

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 5/1/2024 10:45:22 PM