Bibelkommentare

Ps 49:1-20.

This Psalm instructs and consoles. It teaches that earthly advantages are not reliable for permanent happiness, and that, however prosperous worldly men may be for a time, their ultimate destiny is ruin, while the pious are safe in God's care.

1-3. All are called to hear what interests all.

world--literally, "duration of life," the present time.

4. incline--to hear attentively

(Ps 17:6; 31:2).

parable--In Hebrew and Greek "parable" and "proverb" are translations of the same word. It denotes a comparison, or form of speech, which under one image includes many, and is expressive of a general truth capable of various illustrations. Hence it may be used for the illustration itself. For the former sense, "proverb" (that is, one word for several) is the usual English term, and for the latter, in which comparison is prominent, "parable" (that is, one thing laid by another). The distinction is not always observed, since here, and in

Ps 78:2;

"proverb" would better express the style of the composition (compare also

Pr 26:7, 9; Hab 2:6; Joh 16:25, 29).

Such forms of speech are often very figurative and also obscure (compare

Mt 13:12-15).

Hence the use of the parallel word--

dark saying--or, "riddle" (compare

Eze 17:2).

open--is to explain.

upon the harp--the accompaniment for a lyric.

5. iniquity--or, "calamity"

(Ps 40:12).

of my heels--literally "my supplanters"

(Ge 27:36),

or oppressors: "I am surrounded by the evils they inflict."

6. They are vainglorious.

7-9. yet unable to save themselves or others.

8. it ceaseth for ever--that is, the ransom fails, the price is too precious, costly.

9. corruption--literally, "pit," or, "grave," thus showing that "soul" is used for "life"

[Ps 49:8].

10. For he seeth--that is, corruption; then follows the illustration.

wise . . . fool--

(Ps 14:1; Pr 1:32; 10:1).

likewise--alike altogether--

(Ps 4:8)

--die--all meet the same fate.