1Sbormistru. Žalm synů Korachových. 2Slyšte to, všechny národy, poslouchejte, všichni obyvatelé světa, 3prostí i vznešení, bohatý stejně jako chudý! 4Má ústa pronesou moudrost, z úvah mého srdce vyprýští znalost. 5Nakloním svůj sluch k průpovědi, za zvuků lyry zjevím svou záhadu. 6Proč bych se měl bát za dnů neštěstí, když mě svírá zloba nepřátel, 7kteří spoléhají na svůj majetek a chlubí se přemírou svého bohatství? 8Vždyť nikdo sám sebe nevykoupí, není s to zaplatit Bohu své výkupné. 9Cena života je příliš veliká, nikdy nebude stačit, 10aby člověk žil navěky a neviděl zkázu. 11Neboť uvidí, že umírají moudří, že stejně hyne pošetilec i hlupák a zanechávají své bohatství jiným. 12Hroby jsou jejich domovem navěky, jejich obydlím po všechna pokolení, i když svými jmény nazvali celé země. 13Nesetrvá totiž člověk v hojnosti, podobá se dobytčatům, která hynou. 14Takové je chování těch, kteří důvěřují v sebe, takový je konec těch, kteří se těší ze svého údělu. 15Kladou je jak ovce do podsvětí, smrt je pase a spravedliví nad nimi vládnou. Jejich vzezření záhy pomine, podsvětí jim bude příbytkem. 16Ale mou duši Bůh vysvobodí z podsvětí, neboť mě vezme k sobě. 17Neboj se, jestliže někdo zbohatne a vzroste majetek jeho domu. 18Až zemře, nic si s sebou nevezme, nesestoupí s ním jeho jmění. 19I kdyby si za svého života liboval: „Budou tě chválit, že sis to dobře zařídil“, 20přece se připojí ke svým předkům, kteří navěky neuzří světla. (49:21) Člověk, který žije v bohatství a neuvažuje, podobá se dobytčatům, která hynou.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 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. (Psa. 49:1-20)
All are called to hear what interests all.
world--literally, "duration of life," the present time.
4 incline--to hear attentively (
Ps 17:6;
Ps 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
Pro 26:7,
Pro 26:9;
Hab 2:6;
John 16:25,
John 16:29). Such forms of speech are often very figurative and also obscure (compare
Matt 13:12-
Matt 13:15). Hence the use of the parallel word--
dark saying--or, "riddle" (compare
Ezek 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" (
Gen 27:36), or oppressors: "I am surrounded by the evils they inflict."
6 They are vainglorious.
7 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;
Pro 1:32;
Pro 10:1).
likewise--alike altogether-- (
Ps 4:8) --die--all meet the same fate.
11 Still infatuated and flattered with hopes of perpetuity, they call their lands, or "celebrate their names on account of (their) lands."
12 Contrasted with this vanity is their frailty. However honored, man
abideth not--literally, "lodgeth not," remains not till morning, but suddenly perishes as (wild) beasts, whose lives are taken without warning.
13 Though their way is folly, others follow the same course of life.
14 Like sheep--(compare
Ps 49:12) unwittingly, they
are laid--or, "put," &c.
death shall feed on--or, better, "shall rule"
them--as a shepherd (compare "feed,"
Ps 28:9, Margin).
have dominion over--or, "subdue"
them in the morning--suddenly, or in their turn.
their beauty--literally, "form" or shape.
shall consume--literally, "is for the consumption," that is, of the grave.
from their dwelling--literally, "from their home (they go) to it," that is, the grave.
15 The pious, delivered from "the power of the grave."
power--literally, "the hand," of death, are taken under God's care.
16 applies this instruction. Be not anxious (
Ps 37:1, &c.), since death cuts off the prosperous wicked whom you dread.
18 Though . . . lived, &c.--literally, "For in his life he blessed his soul," or, "himself" (
Luke 12:19,
Luke 16:25); yet (
Ps 49:19); he has had his portion.
men will praise . . . thyself--Flatterers enhance the rich fool's self-complacency; the form of address to him strengthens the emphasis of the sentiment.
20 (Compare
Ps 49:12). The folly is more distinctly expressed by "understandeth not," substituted for "abideth not."