Psalms 49 - Introduction

A.M. 2981. B.C. 1023.

“This Psalm,” says Henry, “is a sermon, and so is the next. In most of the Psalms we have the penman praying or praising; in these we have him preaching; and it is our duty, in singing Psalms, to teach and admonish ourselves and one another. The scope and design of this discourse are to convince the men of this world of their sin and folly, in setting their hearts upon the things of this world, and so to persuade them to seek the things of a better world; as also to comfort the people of God in reference to their own troubles, and the grief that ariseth from the prosperity of the wicked.” We have the preface, Psalms 49:1. We need not fear the wicked, Psalms 49:5. They cannot by their riches save either their friends or themselves from death, Psalms 49:6. They cannot secure happiness to themselves either in this world or the world to come, Psalms 49:11. He comforts good men against the fear of death, or of the prosperity of the wicked, Psalms 49:15.