Psalms 49
DOYLYVer. 3. My mouth shall speak &c.] I am going to utter things of most important concern, even weighty matters, which my heart has deeply pondered. Travell.
I will speak such things as shall teach men to be truly wise, and to judge and determine prudently in all things. Rosennuller.
Psalms 49:4
- I will incline mine ear &c.] I myself will diligently attend to the lesson I am going to unfold, and the important instruction shall be accompanied with the melody of musick. Travell.
Psalms 49:5
- Wherefore should I fear &c.] Why should I give way to fear and despondency in the time of calamity, when the wickedness of my wealthy and powerful adversaries compasses me about, to supplant and overthrow me? Bps. Horne and Lowth.
— of my heels] Rather, “of my supplanters;” of those who endeavour to supplant me. Parkhurst.
Psalms 49:7
- None of them &c.] None of them, with all his wealth and power, can save his dearest friend from the grave, or preserve him alive when God calls him. Bp. Patrick.
Psalms 49:8
- (For the redemption &c.] The redemption of a man’s life is too difficult and precious a thing for a man to undertake; so that it must ever be a vain attempt. Bp. Patrick, Travell.
Psalms 49:11
- Their inward thought is, &c.] Nevertheless, worldly-minded men secretly please themselves with the hopes, that their habitations and estates shall continue in their family from age to age; they indulge themselves in the idea of an imaginary immortality, by giving their own names to their lands. Travell.
Psalms 49:13
- This their way is their folly.] The practice of labouring to acquire wealth and greatness, which be of
Psalms 49:14
- Like sheep &c.] They must, like sheep driven to the slaughter, become the prey of death, and go in crowds to the grave: and then the just, whom they insulted, shall triumph over them in that glorious dawn of the resurrection; their faded beauty shall moulden away in the silent habitation of the grave. Travell.
Psalms 49:18
- Though while he lived &c.] While men enjoy all the pleasures which their riches afford them, they call themselves the only happy people: and whoever follows their steps will be sure to have the praise of wicked and foolish people. Bp. Wilson.
Psalms 49:20
- Man that is in honour, &c.] That man who lives in outward honour, and yet wants true wisdom and understanding to know God and himself, lives and dies like a beast. Bp. Hall.
Let us seriously lay to heart, that our time in this world is but a short eve to an everlasting holyday; and that the world itself is but a barren, steep, and stormy passage, to the most fertile and pleasant land that ever was inhabited; where, if we have behaved ourselves well in the way, more glorious mansions are prepared for us than the greatest monarch of the earth was ever in possession of: let us in our daily morning prayers humbly and earnestly beseech God to root out of our hearts all those immoderate desires and inclinations towards the pomp and pleasures of this life, which intoxicate us, and we shall be ashamed all the day after to entertain any of those proud, and covetous, and ambitious thoughts, that are so contrary to our prayers; and so, by devoutly wishing to be what we ought to be, we
b Job 27. 19.