“Why should I fear in days of adversity, when the iniquity of my foes surrounds me, even those who trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches? … Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him” (Psa 49:5–6, 16–17).
Psalm 49 is a wisdom psalm that calls us to reorient our priorities by pondering the inevitable fate of every human being. In the previous psalms (Psalms 45–48), the sons of Korah present the Messianic King and the renewed Jerusalem as their most valued treasures. Until this hope is fully realized, God’s people must trust in Him and find refuge in Him. These are the values that sustain them through life, even “until death” (Psa 48:14).
By making our hope in the coming Messiah dwelling in the renewed Jerusalem our greatest treasure, we are wealthy beyond imagination.
In Psalm 49, the final verse of Psalm 48 comes into focus as the central theme of the entire psalm. “Death” is mentioned three times (Psa 49:10, 14, 17), as is “Sheol” (Psa 49:14–15); “perish” appears twice (Psa 49:12, 20), and the “decay” of the human body is mentioned once (Psa 49:9).
The psalmist encourages God’s people not to fear (vv. 5–6, 16–17) those who amass riches and wield abusive power in this life, since none can redeem his life from Sheol, that is, prevent the day of death (vv. 12, 20). These foolish people, who seem to enjoy everything this life offers, cannot take anything with them to the grave (v. 10).
Herein lies the message of Psalm 49: by making God, and not the riches of this world, our refuge (Psa 46:7, 11; 48:3), and by making our hope in the coming Messiah dwelling in the renewed Jerusalem our greatest treasure (Psa 45:1–2; 48:2), we are wealthy beyond imagination. These treasures are the inheritance of God’s people, the blessings of eternal life as our reward.
“You are more beautiful than the sons of men; grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever” (Psa 45:2). “Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion in the far north, the city of the great King” (Psa 48:2). “But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me. Selah” (Psa 49:15).
