Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

Psalm 49. This is a wisdom psalm, i.e., a hymn that reflects on topics typically covered in the Bible's Wisdom Literature. In particular, it addresses the perplexity that the pious often feel when they encounter trouble, while unfaithful people seem to get along so well. Is not God expected to show his favor for the pious in how he treats them? The answer is that God will distinguish between the faithful and the unfaithful in what happens to them when they die. The psalm follows a very simple argument: it calls everyone to pay attention (vv. 1-4); then it reminds the singers that everyone has a common outcome, namely, all will die (vv. 5-12); and it finishes by stressing the contrasting destinations for the faithful and the unfaithful (vv. 13-20). Verses 12 and 20 are very similar, the key difference being in the words translated "remain" and "understanding," which sound almost the same in Hebrew (yalin and yabin). The element of understanding makes the difference, as the notes will show. Those who sing this will want to continue living faithfully, and will be strengthened against the temptation either to despair or to give up and join the unfaithful. Other psalms that address the same topic include Psalms 37 and 73.

49:1-4 Call to Pay Attention. This section indicates that the message is for all sorts of peoples, low and high, throughout the world. The terms wisdom and understanding are used in the Wisdom Books for genuine spiritual perception, the ability to approach life from God's perspective; they are features marking those who have true faith. The song will expound a proverb and solve a riddle, i.e., the puzzle presented in vv. 5-6.