Psalms 49:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

PSALM 49 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm is penned upon the same occasion with Psa 39 Psa 73, to wit, upon the contemplation of the afflictions of God's people and of the prosperity and glory of ungodly men The design is to justify God's providence in this dark dispensation, and to show that, all things being considered, good men have no cause for immoderate dejection of spirit, nor wicked men for glorying in their present felicities. The psalmist having stirred up all men to attention, Psalms 49:1-5, showeth their vain trust in riches, Psalms 49:6-14; and the contrary trust of the faithful in God, Psalms 49:15; exhorteth them not to fear the prosperity of the wicked, for it cannot deliver him from the grave, Psalms 49:16-20. All ye people, Heb. all people; Jews or Gentiles; for all are concerned in this matter, as being apt to stumble and murmur at it.