Day 107

Psalm 49 part 2 

Ask yourself; What loss in life would most trouble you – material or spiritual? 

One can know if he ‘boasts’ in his riches if he finds deepest satisfaction in gaining and measuring his wealth and if he looks for ways to display his riches. He can ask the question, What am I appropriately proud of – material things or spiritual things? In general, God’s answer to these things for the rich is to practice radical generosity – a way for them to declare their trust in the LORD and to guard against a boast in wealth. In some ways, this psalm is a commentary on the story of the rich fool in Luke 12:15-21. Ps49 has in mind just that kind of man. Maybe Jesus had Ps49 in mind when he told the parable! 

The idol of material wealth is of no help in the spiritual world. Money itself can’t rescue a soul because ‘the redemption of their souls is costly’ – that is, beyond the ability of material things to purchase. The concept of an atoning substitutionary sacrifice was taught since Eden (Gen3:21), practiced by the patriarchs (Gen22:13-14) instituted in a sacrificial system and perfected by the work of Jesus on the cross (Isa53:10-11 Heb10:12, etc.) This spiritual work is what provides for the ‘soul’s redemption.’ 

Voltaire was a French atheist and enemy of Christianity. His popularity made him very wealthy. Yet when Voltaire came to die, it is reported that he cried to his doctor in pained desperation, ‘I will give you half of all I possess if you will give me six months more of life. Voltaire died in despair. 

Those who have the ‘redemption of their souls’(v8) will ‘live eternally’(v9) are redeemed from the power of’ ‘Sheol’(v15) the RSV has ‘Pit’ which is the grave – not hell.) Going to ‘Sheol’ like sheep’ v14 portrays the ultimate and empty destiny of those who reject God. For the redeemed, the grave is ‘a sleep’ to resurrection (see John11:11-14). Sleep is a very common euphemism for death of the righteous. The resurrection, here pictured in advance (v15), Jesus said was “at the last day” John11:24 – 27 (see also e.g.1Thess4:16-17).