Psalms 49:1-50:23 Comments by Stephen Ricker
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Hear Ye, Hear Ye
Comments for Study 28

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Memory Verse: 50:23
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I. A Proverb Psalm (49:1-13)

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* Psalm 49:1-4 "Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor alike: 3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the utterance from my heart will give understanding. 4 I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:"

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* Psalm 49 is like none before it. This is a proverb psalm; wisdom set to music.

Jesus was known to say, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 13:43; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8, 14:35) The prophets also used similar phrases that basically mean, "This is real important. Pay attention. Accept it and live accordingly or else..." (1 Kings 22:28; Isaiah 34:1; Micah 1:2)

Not everything I hear today will be wisdom. Some will be misleading and deceptive. Others will be vicious and poisonous. May my words be sweet wisdom to others.

Verse 4 is the Psalter telling themselves that they will turn their ears to wisdom. For me to speak wisdom, I need to listen and follow Jesus' wisdom. Jesus taught, "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit." (Matthew 12:33) All true wisdom comes from God. If I reject Jesus' words how can my words be delicious wisdom?

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 49:1-4.

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* Psalm 49:5-6 "Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me-- 6 those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?"

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* Wealth has the capacity to empower. The empowerment that wealth obtains is mostly used for self at others' peril. The natural tendency is to place self before others. This shared human nature grows in the hearts of any who entertains it, burning away compassion and love. When given the chance to overpower others most will do so because of fear of loss. The wealthy pride of a fearful soul selfishly distains and destroys others. Evil days come.

People of little means or power are also afraid. Yet, because they do not have wealth's capacity they are subjective to those who do, those who have little or no compassion and love. Those of little means tend to fear those who do them wrong. Though they do not have wealth means, they do attempt to use means that destroy societies. Evil days come.

The righteous refrain both the ways of the wealthy and the ways of those of little means. Fear is a temptation for the righteous. Yet, because they have faith in an all-powerful God who loves them enough to die for them they refrain from evil ways. So now I ask the question of the writer of this proverb psalm, "Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me-- those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?" The answer to this question is in the following verses.

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 49:5-6.

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* Psalm 49:7-9 "No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him-- 8 the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough-- 9 that he should live on forever and not see decay."

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* The price of human life is high. The human soul is precious, each unique and fearfully made. When born all of Adam are slaves of sin and are thus owned by death. All born of Adam sin and thus die. (Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:22) No one is perfect, not even one. Benjamin Franklin and Roy Rogers said, "Nothing is certain in this world except death and taxes."

Even the richest person ever to have lived does not have enough wealth to redeem themselves from sin and death. Riches cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God that he should live on forever and not see decay though many have tried.

Yet, hope exists for the sinful. Jesus gave himself as a ransom to set free from sins those who are called by God. (Hebrews 9:15; 1 Timothy 2:6) What riches cannot do, Jesus did with himself. Jesus proclaimed, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45)

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 49:7-9.

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* Psalm 49:10-11 "For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves."

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* Psalm 49:12 "But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish."

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* Psalm 49:13 "This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Selah"

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* Death is sure. As the sun rises in the east and sets in the west a person comes forth to breathe the first breath and goes down when they breathe their last. Even if in between the first and last breath the person exhibits wisdom, has great riches, lives as a fool, and makes senseless life choices they die and leave their accomplishments and blunders to someone else. The tomb is an escape room that a person will not find a way out of even if they build an elaborate sepulcher.

Trusting in myself to elude death and find a way out of death's iron grip is a rich man's folly. News media reports the beliefs and sayings of the rich and famous. People approve of their words because they believe their success is evidence they are wise. Yet, though their idle owns much grasslands, mountains, and valleys those who ascribe to the rich man's sayings also die.

The body dies. There is hope for the soul and spirit. Trust in Jesus, the maker and sustainer of life. Believe in Jesus and he will open the door of the grave's inescapable room.

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 49:10-13.

II. The Fate of Those Who Trust in Themselves (49:14-20)

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* Psalm 49:14-15 "Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. 15 But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah"

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* The grave (Sheol in Hebrew) is personified as a predator, perhaps a lion or wolf. The rich, who were wicked in previous verses (5-6, 12) are being guided by the predator grave to itself where it will feed on them for eternity. Like sheep, they do not know that they are led to the grave while they feed in rich lands. They do not contemplate their destiny for they trust in themselves and the riches they acquire.

The wicked rich's bodies will remain buried while the upright rule over them in Jesus' kingdom starting at the resurrection of the dead. Jesus promised, "To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations-- 'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery'-- just as I have received authority from my Father." (Revelation 2:26-27)

The author in verse 15 makes a personal confession that is common to all the saints. "God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself." Though oppressed by the wicked and do not have great wealth the righteous do have a firm belief that they will be redeemed. As the prophet Daniel recorded, "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:2-3) Do not lose hope.

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 49:14-15.

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* Psalm 49:16-19 "Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; 17 for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. 18 Though while he lived he counted himself blessed-- and men praise you when you prosper-- 19 he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light [of life]."

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* How can a person know if when they die they will descend below as their body lays decaying in the grave or if they will rise from the dead and eternally see the light of day? These verses give unexpected answers to some preconceived illusions.

If I am born rich and die rich, is this an indication that I am right with the judge of my soul and thus will rise from the dead? No. If I am born poor and die rich, is this an indication that I am right with the judge of my soul and thus will rise from the dead? No. "Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him." (16-17) Whether I prosper or degrade monetarily is not an indication of my destiny after my body ceases to function. Consider the apostles and the prophets.

If I consider myself blessed and am praised by others because I am successful an indication that I am right with the judge of my soul and thus will rise from the dead? No. If I consider myself forsaken and shunned by others for whatever reason and indication that I am right with the judge of my soul and thus will rise from the dead? No. "Though while he lived he counted himself blessed-- and men praise you when you prosper-- he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life." (18-19)

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 49:16-19.

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* Psalm 49:20 "A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish."

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* The author, The Sons of Korah sums it all up, "A man with valuable possessions but without understanding is like the animals that perish." Solomon adds more insight, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal." (Ecclesiastes 3:18-19) Jesus then warns, "For whoever wants to save his soul will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:35-37)

Many spend their time and energy seeking to gain wealth, power, prestige, and more, more, and more for self. Jesus tells me, his follower to spend my time and energy seeking him and advancing the gospel. Compared to the people who seek for self it is equivalent to losing my life.

How can I do this; give up a life for self? With faith that Jesus will keep his promise to me. Do I believe that Jesus will give me eternal life? Do I believe that he knows my needs and will supply them? Do I value him more than the things of this world? Do I understand this law of the spiritual world and believe? Or is my goal in life to gain valuable possessions and life with no understanding of this divine principle?

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 49:20

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III. The Might One, God, The LORD (50:1-15)

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* Psalm 50:1 "The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets."

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* Asaph, the author of this psalm was the Levite musician King David appointed to serve in the Tabernacle until the Temple was completed. (1 Chronicles 6:39) He was the father of the clan of Temple musicians who served throughout the history of the Temple - Solomon's and the rebuild. (1 Chronicles 9:1, 15, 15:19, 16:7, 37) Musical service including writing psalms is considered prophesying. (1 Chronicles 15:1-7) Prophesying is being carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21) The entire book of the Psalms derives from the intervention and leading of the Holy Spirit upon unique individuals.

Asaph's first psalm to appear in the book is noteworthy because it uses seven names for God, three of which are in verse 1. God having several names is no different than me. I have a first, middle, and last name. My family and friends call me by a shortened version of my first name. I even have a secret confirmation name.

The Hebrew "El" is the first name of God to appear in this psalm. El is a simple base noun for deity in the Old Testament Hebrew (238 times), in Aramaic, Arabic, and used for the high god in Canaanite culture. El implies majesty and power. El is a synonym for the more frequent noun for God: "Elohim". The English noun God is used similarly.

The Hebrew "Elohim" is the second name of God to appear in this psalm. Elohim is the first name for God to appear in the Bible with the phrase, "In the beginning God..." (Genesis 1:1) Elohim is an interesting Hebrew noun for the "im" at the end implies plural. Yet, the sentence structure of Genesis 1:1 makes it a singular noun implying three-in-one. Indeed, Genesis chapter 1:2 mentions the Spirit of God, Genesis 1:26 has God speaking to himself saying, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness...", and Genesis 2:4 has YHWH (LORD in some English translations).

The Hebrew "YHWH" is the third name to appear in this psalm. YHWH is the covenant name of the God of Israel used more than 6,000 times in the Old Testament. The four letters are only consonants. Reverence for the divine name led to the practice of not writing the vowels because of the Commandments found in Exodus 20:7 and Leviticus 24:16. This led to the practice of not even pronouncing his name at all. Instead, the Israelites began using "Adonai" (Lord in most English translations). YHWH vowels were forgotten millenniums ago. In the Middle Ages Jewish scholars began using the vowels from "Adonai" in between the consonants to help them remember not to pronounce "YHWH". "Jehovah" is a Latinized form never used by the Jews to this day and wasn't even a real word in Latin when someone invented it. The true spelling for YHWH is believed to be "Yahweh", but no one knows for sure.

The action ascribed to God in verse one is that he speaks to and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. In other words, the whole earth.

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 50:1.

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* Psalm 50:2-4 "From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. 3 Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. 4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:"

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* Psalm 50:5-6 "Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice." And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah"

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* The Might One, God, the LORD has come to judge his people. He is dressed in white for the occasion, full of splendor. When Moses presented Israel the covenant the LORD made between him and them on Mount Sinai, Moses called the heavens and the earth to be the witness of the covenant. (Deuteronomy 30:19, 31:28) Now on Mount Zion the Lord is about to judge his people to see if they kept the covenant. God will not be silent during the judgment. He will speak his case. The Lord does as Moses did. He summons the heavens and the earth to be the witness. (4)

Covenants are a central, unifying theme in Scripture. (Genesis 9:8-17, 15:9-21, 17, Exodus 19-24, Numbers 25:10-13, 2 Samuel 7:5-16, Jeremiah 31:31-34, etc.) God establishes covenants with individuals, the nation Israel, and the new covenant established by Jesus the Messiah. Covenants are similar to human treaties and commitments in human economics, politics, and relationships.

Jesus' new covenant is a one-way special contract. The covenant was sealed in his blood and body spent on the cross. During the Last Supper, "he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:27-29)

Now, "whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (Corinthians 11:26) And he will come, stand on Mount Zion as the psalm foretells and examine the people of his church to see if they kept themselves pure.

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 50:2-6.

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* Psalm 50:7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God."

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* Psalm 50:8-13 "I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. 9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, 10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. 12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?"

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* God has come to Mount Zion in splendor to make his case against Israel. He will now testify against them.

Yes, they were sacrificing animals as prescribed in the covenant law given through Moses. The covenant the Lord God had with Israel was two-sided. He would be their God and they would live according to the good way people were originally designed to live. This is the sum of the covenant. Their part included offering sacrifices to him. This they were doing.

However, their intent was wrong. The reason they offered was wrong. They began believing that God needed the animals they were sacrificing. The Israelites believed the Lord God needed to eat animals for sustenance. This was a wrong concept and understanding of God and the reason they were to present offerings to him. The animal sacrifice system was not for God's benefit but for their benefit. Mankind has a deep need to offer to God. It is good and it is right.

Sacrifice and offering are the physical elements that worshipers bring to God to express devotion, thanksgiving, and the need for forgiveness to God. Tithing is an offering that was before, during, and after the sacrifice system presented through Moses was given as part of the covenant Israel had with the Lord God. Noah made an offering. Abraham, Issac, and Jacob made offerings.

Jesus' teachings included offering. The cleansing of the Temple (John 2) came about because people were selling animals and birds for the various sacrifices within the Temple precincts. These people had allowed the "business" of sacrifice to overwhelm the spiritual nature of the offerings.

God sacrifices too. He sacrificed his Son, Jesus for the redemption of my soul. In fact, all the human sacrifices in the law given through Moses point to God sacrificing his one and only Son. In this is the deep need for sacrifice. Sacrifice is part of a loving relationship with another.

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 50:7-13.

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* Psalm 50:14-15 "Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

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* The Most High God presents three acts that are expected of Israel. These acts are not hard. They are not an intense labyrinth or maze that transpires. They are not some deep mystery to discover with intense study of the Bible in its original language or some other ancient rare script. These acts are not the mystic rights of some secret cult or social group. What does the Most High God ask? Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows, and call upon him in the day of trouble.

A thank offering is giving something to the Lord God that expresses thankfulness and gratitude. (Leviticus 7:12) I consider all that Jesus has done for me; the work of his hands in my day-to-day life, the redemption of my soul, the blessings upon blessings. They are many, not few. They are right and good. They are only for my benefit. They are an expression of his love for me. I am grateful. Thank you should be expressed as he expresses his love toward me.

The vow for Israel was expressed at Mount Sinai under the covenant they made with the Lord God. A vow for me is the covenant of the blood of the Lamb. Jesus often taught that the new covenant was like the covenant of marriage. I am betrothed to Jesus. I am awaiting the return of the king-bridegroom. I am to keep my lamp lit with love, faith, hope, and expectation as I live the life he has prescribed in the gospels and letters of the apostles.

Calling on the Lord God in the day of trouble seems so easy it is natural. However, is it natural for me to actively rely on him with prayer and petition? It seems to me it is more natural to turn prayer time into habitual mindless and heartless action. Jesus said, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." (John 15:7)

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 50:14-15.

IV. A Message for the Wicked (50:16-23)

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* Psalm 50:16 "But to the wicked, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?"

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* Psalm 50:17-21 "You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. 18 When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers. 19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. 20 You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son. 21 These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face."

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* The Most High God addresses the wicked just as Jesus addressed his day's religious and social leaders. Every generation experiences the powerful and swift flow of hypocrisy and mundane Christianity. I need to become alert and swim to the firm shore of reverent thankful faith lest I be swept and forever lost into the sea of the forgotten where I will remain isolated forever sinking ever farther into deep lonely depression.

If I hate the Lord Jesus' instruction, casting his words behind me as I move toward the dark sea I become the company of thieves and adulters who rob what is good and right. What right do the beds of thieves and adulters have claiming the covenant of Jesus' blood? I cannot have the one and the other at the same time.

If I call Jesus, "Lord, Lord," and do not do what he says, does this not mean that I am the wicked hypocrite in this psalm? If I do not love as Jesus loved, then am I one with him? What do I harbor in my heart as mundane Christianity pulls me ever closer to the salty waves of the vast sea? Is the person who moved next to me an invader or a possible lost soul I can witness to the love of Christ? Has a thief and adultery moved next door because I am one too? Will Jesus rebuke me to my face as he did the mundane religious leader of his day? The time has arrived when I must begin swimming.

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 50:16-21.

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* Psalm 50:22-23 "Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue: 23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."

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* God gives the people who forget him an ultimatum. Forgetting God means a person is aware that other people are religious and they give the impression that they are religious, however, God is not in their heart nor a consideration in their plans and interactions. God is telling such people to consider what he is saying in this conclusion or they will meet a terrible end. If they do not change their hearts they will be like the ship that runs against a rocky shore. They will be torn to pieces. I consider Jesus' warning similar to that in Matthew 11:20-24.

The ultimatum is in verse 23. Verse 23 is similar to verses 14 and 15, except it gives a promise. "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." If I express gratitude and honor to God in tangible ways I also prepare the way for God to show me his salvation. I will get to know Jesus the Messiah whom God raised from the dead. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Listen to the above comments on Psalm 50:22-23.