Psalm 49-50

Psalm 49 is a reminder to oligarchs and billionaires (and for the rest of us) that power and wealth have limited influence. They are powerless to redeem one’s soul or that of his brother, Ps. 49;7,8. When one dies, he will carry neither glory nor wealth with him, v17.

The first verse of Psalm 50 defines a setting that gives insight into Psalm 49 (though not written by the same person). “El, Elohim, Jehovah” translated “the Mighty One, God, the Lord,” summons the whole earth, for an inquest, a tribunal. The line of division is between the humility of gratitude and the arrogance of ungratefulness. Our confidence is, “He who offers a sacrifice of thankfulness honors me; to him.... I will show the salvation of God,” v23.