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

49:5-12 Common Outcome: We All Die. After presenting the puzzle, the song reminds all its singers that every single person has the same end (death). From vv. 5-6 the puzzle is clear: the pious (the I in this psalm) face times of trouble (v. 5), finding themselves surrounded by the iniquity of those who cheat me (v. 5), which is the same group as those who trust in their wealth (v. 6). It is likely that in this psalm the pious and the unfaithful are alike members of the covenant people of God; not all of the people lay hold of the blessings of the covenant. The point about all dying is made in two ways: in vv. 7-9, no one can bribe death, either to ransom another or to give to God the price of his own life (v. 7); in vv. 10-12, all kinds of people die, whether one is wise (embracing God's covenant) or a fool (stupidly rejecting God's covenant). Thus even the wealthy must die, and their wealth cannot prevent it.