Psalms 49:1

all ye people Rather, all ye peoples, as in Psalms 47:1. All peoples, all the inhabitants of the world, are summoned to listen, for the theme is one of universal interest; it concerns all humanity. It is characteristic of the -Wisdom" or religious philosophy of Israel to view the problems of life in their wider aspect. It treats of man as man, not of Israel as the chosen people. The first line recalls the opening words of Micah's prophecy (Micah 1:2), and the words of his older namesake (1 Kings 22:28). For the form of the verse cp. Elihu's words (Job 34:2).

the world A peculiar word, found in this sense only in Psalms 17:14. It denotes the lapse of time, the fleeting age, the world as uncertain and transitory.