Hear This, All You Peoples
Devotional
Companion to the Psalter
A Devotional Guide to the Psalms
Object:
Hear this, all you peoples;
give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
both low and high,
rich and poor together ...
Truly no ransom avails for one's life,
there is no price one can give to God for it ...
that one should live on forever
and never see the grave ...
But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
for he will receive me.
-- Psalm 49:1-2, 7, 9, 15
Theme: Death is a mystery, and wealth is futile
Outline
1-4 -- Listen! This is for all humankind of every rank and class.
5-12 -- Wealth is idolized, but it cannot save from death, when it must all be given up.
13-14 -- Sheol will be the home of the rich.
15-20 -- God will ransom the godly from Sheol's power. Therefore be not in awe of the pomp of wealth.
Notes
• Wisdom Poetry
• This psalm's theme is similar to that of Psalms 37 and 73.
• The mystery of death and beyond (v. 15). See notes in Introduction and for Psalms 16; 17; and 73.
For Reflection
• See verses 6, 13, and 18 for how wealth was generally regarded then. Is it the same today, too?
• What perspective must we keep before us as we see ourselves or others getting richer? (vv. 7-9, 10-14, 17-20).
• Where is the true wealth, riches, or real estate that can never lose is value? (v. 16; Matthew 19; 21; Hebrews 13:5). What will keep our material possessions from possessing us?
Prayer
Lord God, may we be taught and prompted by your word and your Spirit to seek our fulfillment not in worldly wealth or power, nor in pomp or status, but to seek and find it in you, and in loving service to one another. Grant this in the name of him who became poor that we might be ransomed from death to live with you forever, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
both low and high,
rich and poor together ...
Truly no ransom avails for one's life,
there is no price one can give to God for it ...
that one should live on forever
and never see the grave ...
But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
for he will receive me.
-- Psalm 49:1-2, 7, 9, 15
Theme: Death is a mystery, and wealth is futile
Outline
1-4 -- Listen! This is for all humankind of every rank and class.
5-12 -- Wealth is idolized, but it cannot save from death, when it must all be given up.
13-14 -- Sheol will be the home of the rich.
15-20 -- God will ransom the godly from Sheol's power. Therefore be not in awe of the pomp of wealth.
Notes
• Wisdom Poetry
• This psalm's theme is similar to that of Psalms 37 and 73.
• The mystery of death and beyond (v. 15). See notes in Introduction and for Psalms 16; 17; and 73.
For Reflection
• See verses 6, 13, and 18 for how wealth was generally regarded then. Is it the same today, too?
• What perspective must we keep before us as we see ourselves or others getting richer? (vv. 7-9, 10-14, 17-20).
• Where is the true wealth, riches, or real estate that can never lose is value? (v. 16; Matthew 19; 21; Hebrews 13:5). What will keep our material possessions from possessing us?
Prayer
Lord God, may we be taught and prompted by your word and your Spirit to seek our fulfillment not in worldly wealth or power, nor in pomp or status, but to seek and find it in you, and in loving service to one another. Grant this in the name of him who became poor that we might be ransomed from death to live with you forever, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
