Psalms 49:20

Man [that is] in honour,.... A wicked man, as the Targum; [See comments on Psalms 49:12]; and understandeth not; from whence his riches and honour, come, and what use he should make of them, and for

Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish. Slightly varied from Psalms 49:12, as is usual in Hebrew poetry. Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

Understandeth not, i.e. hath not true wisdom, to know and consider what he is, and what his true business and interest in this world is, and what use he should make of his life, and of all his riches, and honour, and power, and whither he is going, and what course to take for the attainmerit of true and lasting happiness. Is like the beasts that perish; though he hath the outward shape of a man, yet in truth he is a beast, or a brutish, stupid, and unreasonable creature, and he shall perish like a brute beast made to be destroyed, .

Psalms 49:20 Man [that is] in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts [that] perish.Ver. 20. Man that is in honour and understandeth not] Versus amoibaeus. See Psalms 49:12, there is but little difference; Stultitiam patiuntur opes. The more a man hath of worldly wealth, and the less of spiritual and heavenly understanding therewith, the more bestial he is, and shall be more miserable. Caligula called his father-in-law, Marcus Silanus, χρυσουνπροβατον, a golden brute, Quid cervo ingentia cornua, cum desit animus? Vel mihi da clavem, vel mihi tolle seram.

Verse 20. Man that is in honour] The rich and honourable man who has no spiritual understanding, is a beast in the sight of God. The spirit of this maxim is, A man who is in a dignified official situation, but destitute of learning and sound sense, is like a beast. The important place which he occupies reflects no honour upon him, but is disgraced by him. Who has not read the fable of the beautifully carved head? It was every thing that it should be, but had no brains. This verse has been often quoted as a proof of the fall of man; and from ילין yalin, (in Psalms 49:12,) which signifies to lodge for a night, it has been inferred that Adam fell on the same day on which he was created, and that he did not spend a single night in the terrestrial paradise. Adam, who was in a state of glory, did not remain in it one night, but became stupid and ignorant as the beasts which perish. But we may rest assured this is no meaning of the text. ANALYSIS OF THE FORTY-NINTH PSALM The doctrine taught by this Psalm is the following: That rich men be not proud of their wealth, nor poor men dejected nor humbled at their mean estate, since all men are mortal; and it is not the wealth of the one can make them happy, nor the poverty of the others can make them unhappy, there being another life by which the condition of both is to be judged. The Psalm has three parts: - I. An exordium or preface: Psalms 49:1-4. II. The matter proposed, debated, and argued, Psalms 49:5-16. III. The advice or admonition given, Psalms 49:16-20. I. In the exordium: - 1. He calls together his auditory: "All people, all nations, low, high, rich, and poor;" because what he speaks concerns all. 2. Then he calls them to be attentive. "Hear, give ear." 3. He labours to make them teachable, by commending the matter of which he treats; they are not frivolous, but weighty and important things: 1. "My mouth shall speak of wisdom," c. I will speak of what I know, and speak so that others may understand. 2. "I will incline my ear." I will teach you nothing but what I teach myself. 3. It is a parable which I am about to deliver, and will require all your attention. 4. That it may be brought to your ear with more delight, I shall accompany it with the harp: "I will open my dark saying upon the harp." II. Having now assembled his congregation endeavoured to make them attentive, docile, and well-disposed, lest any should suppose that he was envious at the prosperity of the wicked, or had so little trust in God that he lived in terror of his adversaries; he says, "Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, though the iniquity of my supplanters surrounds me?" He had no reason thus to fear; but the wealthy and ambitious had.

20. The refrain of Psa 49:12, repeated with a significant variation, qualifying the previous statement. It is not the rich and honourable man, as such, who is no better than the cattle that perish; but the rich man who is destitute of discernment, and knows no distinction between false and true riches, reckoning earthly and transitory wealth more precious than spiritual and eternal fellowship with God.

Man that is in honor - Man that is in possession of wealth, or that occupies an exalted rank. See the notes at Psalms 49:12.

16-20. The remainder of the psalm is a hortatory application, with a partial rehearsal of what has been already said.