The issues of life.
Connected with Psalms 16:1-11; Psalms 17:1-15; the writer stands face to face with the great problem of the time—the prosperity of the wicked. The two chief causes which forced the conviction of a hereafter on the later Hebrews were a deep dissatisfaction at the prosperity of the wicked and the misfortunes of the righteous in the world; and the earnest longing of the soul for a more perfect communion with God than was possible in the present life; for they could not but believe that God's promises to the righteous would be made good. The subject of this psalm is that the issues of life show the difference between the lot of the righteous and the wicked.
I. THE LOT OF THE PROSPEROUS WICKED, WHO TRUST IN RICHES.
1. Their riches cannot purchase a ransom from death. (Verses 7-9.) Money may bribe men, but not God, nor death.
2. They cannot carry their riches or their glory with them when they die. (Verses 16-18.) Both are only transient possessions, which soon pass away.
3. There is no deliverance for them from the grave. (Verses 11-14.) The grave is their everlasting habitation, where all their beauty consumes away.
II. THE PRIVILEGE OF THE RIGHTEOUS.
1. To be fearless and undaunted in respect to the evil devices of the wicked. (Verses 5, 6, 16.)
2. They shall ultimately obtain dominion over the wicked. (Verse 14.) All the best and devoutest minds have never doubted that good shall at length triumph over evil.
3. Redemption from the grave, from Sheol, into a life with God. (Verse 15) "No more momentous struggle ever swayed the heart of man than that which first led him to suspect himself to be immortal."
III. THESE GREAT ISSUES ARE WORTHY THE STUDY OF ALL. (Verses 1-4.) High and low, rich and poor.—S.
Psalms
Psalms 49 - psalms-49 - worlddic.com