Introduction
Psalm 49: Writing in the wisdom tradition, the author urges his audience not to put much emphasis on wealth. While all people die—both wise and foolish, both rich and poor—the writer attests that God’s power is greater than the power of death.
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 49:7–8a
We can never redeem ourselves; we cannot pay God the price for our lives, because the payment for a human life is too great.
Reading
49 Hear this, everyone!
Listen, all people everywhere,
2 great and small alike,
rich and poor together.
3 My thoughts will be clear;
I will speak words of wisdom.
4 I will turn my attention to proverbs
and explain their meaning as I play the harp.
5 I am not afraid in times of danger
when I am surrounded by enemies,
6 by evil people who trust in their riches
and boast of their great wealth.
7 We can never redeem ourselves;
we cannot pay God the price for our lives,
8 because the payment for a human life is too great.
What we could pay would never be enough
9 to keep us from the grave,
to let us live forever.
10 Anyone can see that even the wise die,
as well as the foolish and stupid.
They all leave their riches to their descendants.
11 Their graves are their homes forever;
there they stay for all time,
though they once had lands of their own.
12 Our greatness cannot keep us from death;
we will still die like the animals.
13 See what happens to those who trust in themselves,
the fate of those who are satisfied with their wealth—
14 they are doomed to die like sheep,
and Death will be their shepherd.
The righteous will triumph over them,
as their bodies quickly decay
in the world of the dead far from their homes.
15 But God will rescue me;
he will save me from the power of death.
16 Don’t be upset when someone becomes rich,
when his wealth grows even greater;
17 he cannot take it with him when he dies;
his wealth will not go with him to the grave.
18 Even if someone is satisfied with this life
and is praised because he is successful,
19 he will join all his ancestors in death,
where the darkness lasts forever.
20 Our greatness cannot keep us from death;
we will still die like the animals.
Reflect
Where does wealth fit in the list of things that are important in your life? What is the psalm writer saying about wealth? What do you trust in? According to verses 16 and 17, why should you not envy those who are rich? How would you summarize this psalm?
Pray
Almighty God, I place my trust in you and in your teachings. May I be guided by your wisdom each day. You are my source of life and salvation and you alone will rescue me from the power of death. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Proverbs 15:1–33: Wisdom involves having reverence for the LORD.
