Psalm-49
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Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).
Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:
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other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job,
the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and
history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of Thy Law!
Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..
(JPS-1917
version of the Tanakh).
Please
Note: Some
alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth
from our beloved Torah!
“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which
I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM
IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2.
However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben
Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Foreword:
Tehillim 49 is a profound piece of "Wisdom Literature" (Chokhmah) within the Psalter. Attributed to the Sons of Korah, it addresses one of the most persistent questions in human history: the apparent security of the wealthy and the ultimate fate of the soul. It is a staple in the house of mourning (Beit Avel) because of its sobering yet comforting meditation on mortality and redemption.
Introduction
to Psalm 49:
This Psalm is a universal summons. Unlike many Psalms that address Israel alone, this one calls upon “all peoples” and “all inhabitants of the world” It serves as a didactic (teaching) poem designed to solve a Chidah, a riddle or a dark saying. The “riddle” is how to face the “evil days” when wealthy, unscrupulous men seem to hold all the power. The answer lies in the distinction between the "temporal wealth" of the body and the “eternal redemption” of the soul.
Let
us now read Tehillim-Psalms Chapter 49: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh.
1. For the Leader; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.
2. Hear this, all ye peoples; give ear, all ye
inhabitants of the world,
3. Both low and high, rich and poor
together.
4. My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of
my heart shall be understanding.
5. I will incline mine ear to a parable; I will open
my dark saying upon the harp.
6. Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my supplanters compasseth me about,
7. Of them that trust in their
wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches?
8. No man can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim a ransom for him.
9. For too costly is the redemption of their soul,
and must be let alone for ever--
10. That he should still live alway,
that he should not see the pit.
11. For he seeth that wise
men die, the fool and the brutish together perish,
and leave their wealth to others.
12. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall
continue for ever, and their dwelling-places to all generations;
they call their lands after their own names.
13. But man abideth not in
honour; he is like the beasts that perish.
14. This is the way of them that are foolish, and of
those who after them approve their sayings. Selah
15. Like sheep they are appointed for the
nether-world; death shall be their shepherd; and the upright shall have
dominion over them in the morning; and their form shall be for the nether-world
to wear away, that there be no habitation for it.
16. But אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim
will redeem my soul from the power of the nether-world; for He shall receive
me. Selah
17. Be not thou afraid when one waxeth
rich, when the wealth of his house is increased;
18. For when he dieth he
shall carry nothing away; his wealth shall not descend after him.
19. Though while he lived he blessed his soul: 'Men
will praise thee, when thou shalt do well to thyself';
20. It shall go to the generation of his fathers;
they shall never see the light.
21. Man that is in honour understandeth not; he is like the beasts that perish.
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Let
us now look at ‘verse by verse’ with commentary:
The Universal Call (Verses 1-5).
Verses 1-3: The Psalmist demands the attention of everyone, rich and poor, high and low. He is not just sharing an emotion; he is speaking Chokhmot (wisdom) and Tevunot (understanding).
Verses 4-5: He “inclines his ear to a parable” (Mashal). He is listening for divine inspiration before he speaks. He poses the core question: “Why should I fear in days of evil?”
The Limits of Wealth (Verses 6-10).
Verses 6-7: He describes those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches.
Verses 8-10: These are the central theological verses. David (through the sons of Korah) asserts that no man can “redeem a brother” or “give to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim a ransom for him”.
Explanation: In the Hebrew, the “ransom” (Kofer) refers to a price paid to escape death. The Psalmist argues that the “redemption of the soul” is too costly for any human currency. Money cannot buy an extension of life or bypass the grave (Shachat).
The Equalizer of Death (Verses 11-13).
Verse 11: The Psalmist observes that even the wise die, just as the “fool and the senseless” perish, leaving their wealth to others.
Verse 12: He mocks the vanity of the rich who think their houses are eternal, naming lands after themselves to ensure “fame”.
Verse 13: The refrain: “Man in his glory does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish”. Without spiritual understanding, man’s physical end is no different from that of an animal.
Two Destinies (Verses 14-16).
Verse 14: He describes the “path” of the foolish. They are like sheep appointed for Sheol (the grave), with Death as their shepherd.
Verse 15: In a striking contrast, the “upright” shall have dominion over them “in the morning”. Their physical forms will waste away, but their destination is different.
Verse 16: This is the peak of the Psalm: “But אֱלֹהִים - Elohim will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me”. This suggests a hope that transcends the physical grave, a “taking” or “receiving” by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (similar to the language used for Enoch).
Final Exhortation (Verses 17-21).
Verses 17-19: The Psalmist advises: “Do not be afraid when a man grows rich”. When he dies, he takes nothing with him. His “glory” will not descend after him.
Verse 20: Though a man congratulates himself during his life for his success, he will eventually join the “generation of his fathers” who will never see the light.
Verse 21: The refrain is repeated with a slight variation, emphasizing that a man who has “wealth but no understanding” (V’lo yavin) is truly like the beasts.
My
Closing Statement:
Psalm 49 serves as a powerful corrective to the “myopia of the present”. It teaches that while wealth can provide comfort in this world, it is powerless in the face of the ultimate transition. The true “wealth” is the redemption of the soul, a price that only the Almighty can manage. For the righteous, death is not a shepherd leading them to decay, but a passage to being “received” by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. It encourages the Tzaddik to remain steadfast, knowing that the “morning” brings a reality where the values of the world are overturned.
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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following via several of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem;
walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances,
and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and
you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”.
Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“The More Torah, the More Life”
For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,
He
is the one who gave us our Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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