Psalms 49:1 - Meaning and Application

This is the psalmist’s opening to his message about the emptiness of the world and its inability to make us truly happy. We rarely find an introduction more serious than this one, because no truth is more certain, more important, or more helpful to think about.

He first calls everyone to listen to what he is about to say: “Hear this, all you people; listen closely, all you who live in the world” (Psalms 49:1, Psalms 49:2). He does not speak only to Israel, but to all nations, because this truth is not only for those with special revelation. Even natural reason can see it, all people can know it, and all people should consider it, their wealth will not help them on the day of death. Rich and poor alike must come together to hear God’s word, and both must apply it to themselves.

Those who are high and wealthy should hear about the emptiness of worldly goods. They should not be proud of their possessions or trust in them for safety. Instead, they should use what they have to do good, and so make friends by their generosity. Those who are poor should hear this too, so they can be content with little and not envy those with much. Poor people are in danger from craving wealth just as rich people are in danger from loving it too much.

He gives a good reason for taking his words seriously: “My mouth shall speak wisdom” (Psalms 49:3). What he is about to say is true, good, and wise. It is not uncertain or small in value, but solid truth that can guide us toward our great purpose. He has also thought it through deeply himself. What he speaks comes from the meditation of his heart, what God has put into his mind and what he has carefully considered. Words that ministers speak from their own hearts are most likely to reach the hearts of their hearers.

He then says, “I will turn my ear to a proverb” (Psalms 49:4). It is called a proverb, not because it is strange or unclear, but because it is a wise and instructive saying, like Solomon’s proverbs. This shows that he learned it from God’s Spirit and did not speak on his own. It also shows that he felt the matter was personal and serious, since he would not tell others not to trust in wealth unless he was refusing to trust in it himself. And he would not expect others to listen to what he himself did not listen to with full attention. God gives the tongue of the learned only after first waking the ear to hear like the learned (Isaiah 50:4).

He also promises to make the matter as clear and as moving as he can: “I will expound my dark saying on the harp” (Psalms 49:4). What he learned for himself, he would not keep to himself, but pass on for the good of others. Some people do not understand such teaching, because when they hear about the emptiness of visible things and the reality of invisible things, it sounds like a riddle to them. For their sake, he will explain it plainly so that anyone can understand it. Others may understand it well enough, but they are not moved by it. For them, he will set it to music, hoping that the melody will help the truth sink in. A verse may reach someone a sermon cannot.

He begins by applying the lesson to himself, which is the right way to handle spiritual truth. We should first preach to ourselves before we try to warn others. Before he speaks about the foolishness of relying on worldly security (Psalms 49:6), he first shows, from his own experience, the comfort of holy trust in God instead of wealth. So he asks, “Why should I fear?” He means, why should I be afraid like worldly people are afraid (Isaiah 8:12).

He asks why he should fear men during trouble or persecution, even when evil people try to trap him and surround him with harm. Why should he fear those whose only strength is their money, when their riches cannot even save their friends? Their power may seem great, but wealth cannot keep them from ruin, so it should not make God’s people tremble. We do not need to fear those who cannot even support themselves in their own greatness.

He also means, “Why should I be afraid like them?” The days of old age and death are evil days (Ecclesiastes 12:1). In the day of judgment, a person’s past sins will come before him in order. Every work will be brought into judgment, including every secret thing, and each person must give an account. Worldly and wicked people will be terrified then, because nothing is more dreadful to those who set their hearts on this world than leaving it. Death is the king of terrors to them, because judgment comes after death, and their sins will rise up around them like enemies.

But why should a godly person fear death, when God is with him? (Psalms 23:4). When his sins surround him, he sees that they are all forgiven. His conscience is cleansed and at peace. Then, even on the day of judgment, when others are failing with fear, he can lift up his head with joy (Luke 21:26, Luke 21:28). God’s children, even when they are poor, are happier than the most successful people in this world, because they are protected from the terrors of death and the judgment to come.