Day 108

Psalm 49 part 3

The problem was raised in vs1-6. Two answers are offered: v7-12 & 13-20.

Vs10-12 is in the pattern of Eccl6:1-2; the psalmist noted that we can’t take our material wealth with us into the world beyond. Money may be the monarch of this world, but not the next.

While we can’t take our wealth with us, there is a real sense in which we can send it on ahead. Jesus spoke of using our present resources to store up treasure in heaven (Mark10:21). Our material wealth can do us good in the world to come, but that happens through kingdom-minded generosity more than accumulation.

Though an ungodly man may have some measure of ‘honour’ (v12) through estates or descendants or memorials, that he thinks will last forever, he still dies – just like an animal dies. “The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever.” (v11 NLT). Therefore, the truly wise man or woman does not trust in riches or boast in wealth. He prepares for eternity by trusting God and making their boast in the LORD. Yet how animal-like we are when we fail to consider the shortness of our days and not prepare for how we will spend eternity! This ‘way’ is ‘foolish’ (v13).

Tragically, the lineage of fools never dies out.

Of their once-beautiful bodies, the songwriter says, ‘their beauty(pomp NASB) shall be consumed in the grave (shoel).’ Just like animals.v12 -14

The idea is that God’s people (v15) – those who did not trust or boast in riches – have a beauty beyond the material and therefore beyond the grave. Those whose beauty was mainly measured in mirrors and bank accounts will find that their beauty shall be consumed in the grave and that they have the impotency of ‘sheep.’ There is a better beauty to live for. The future of the rich is misery, but the future of the God-fearing is bright with hope.

‘But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me.’ The psalmist was confident that he was among the upright, and not among those who foolishly trusted and boasted in riches.