Psalm 49:1-2

Psalm 49:1-2

Hear ye! Hear ye!

There have been many denunciations of the wicked in the Psalms that precede this one, and there will, no doubt, be later Psalms that equally censure their godlessness and their selfish intent. However, Psalm 49 is aimed at one particular group of godless people – the wealthy! Being wealthy in itself is not a sin and those who have wealth are not more wicked than the rest of us, but those who trust in their riches are violating the blessings that God has given them in this life. According to the Psalmist they are rich fools who proudly rely on their possessions and themselves to ensure their place in this world. 

The Psalm clearly points out that it is foolish to envy the wealthy or to be in awe of their accumulated riches, and the Son of Korah who wrote these words takes pains to remind us that the selfish rich die with nothing while those who hope in the Lord God will be “redeemed from the realm of the dead.” This is a hard-hitting song, unlike any that precede it, and we will be given much food for thought as we study its message.

 

V1-2    Commentators are quick to point out that the opening words of the Psalm sound like an address by a prophet. I think they have the ring of a Town Crier; “Hear ye! Hear ye, all you people. Listen to the announcement. This is an important message to all the peoples of the world. Hear ye! Hear ye, everyone take note, this is for the attention of all, both the lowly and the rich and famous, the ordinary and the aristocrats. Listen up you rich and famous and take note those who have very little. This proclamation is for all of you. Do not turn away. Listen to what I am about to say. Hear ye! Hear ye!”

There is no doubt that the writer of these words wants to get our attention, he has something important to say to everyone and it will do us well to listen carefully to his words. 

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