Psalms 49

Psalms 49:4

a parable] A sententious, grave, witty, dark saying, Prov. I. 6. not beseeming simple ones, Prov. XXVI. 7. used by Balaam, Num. XXIII. and XXIV. by Ezekiel at Gods command, chap. XVII. 2. and XX. 49. and much by our Saviour himself in his preaching, Matth. XIII. 35. sometimes in plainer maner, Mark IV. 33 sometimes in intended obscurity, Luke VIII. 10. requiring sharpnesse of wit to understanded and expound them.

Here the Psalmists extraordinary Preface ushering it in; and this enigmatical maner of delivering it, argues the matter to be of great weight and difficulty. As indeed it is that which so much troubleth and puzleth the wisest and the best men of the world; the afflictions and miseries of the godly, and the prosperities of the wicked. See Psal. XXXVII. 1. and LXXIII. 2, 12. and XCIV. 3, 4. Job XXI. 7, 13. Jer.

XII. 1. Hab. I. 4, 5. And the wicked thereby take encouragement to evil, and nourish impious conceipts in their hearts touching God, and his providence; Iob XXI. 14, 15. Psal. X. 3, 6, 11, 13. and XIV. 1. and XCIV. 7, 8.

Mal. II, 17. and III. 15. See more of this in the Observations on Psal. XXXVII. 1.

Psalms 49:5

should I fear?] The godly should not fear, dismay, or be discouraged at the evils and miseries of this life.

Psalms 49:6

boast] The wicked, and wealthy, cannot save the life of others, or their own life from death. And that ends all their jollity and prosperity.

Psalms 49:10

wise men die] Eccl. II. 16. and III. 19.

Psalms 49:11

Their inward thought] They hunted after honour, and a famous memorial.

Psalms 49:12

Neverthelesse] They shall have no more good by their honours, then the others had by their riches; they abide not in life thereby one night the longer, Psal. XXXVII. 36. 1. Iohn II. 17.

abideth not] Heb. Abideth not for a night. Which text many Jews, and other Writers, both old and new, do urge for their opinion, that Adam fell the same day wherein he was created; which point the great Linguist and Chronologer Master Hugh Broughton doth presse and prosecute, even with some heat, and overmuch passion, at large. But the learned Gataker doth clear this text from any such meaning, and gives reasons most probable, That Adam did not fall the same day wherein he was created, in his Cinnus, p. 189.—198.

Psalms 49:13

yet their posterity] Not warned thereby; but commend their fathers foolish courses, and continue in them, Psal. X. 3.

Psalms 49:14

like sheep] Rotten sheep that die of themselves.

feel on them] And devour them.

and the upright] The righteous in Christ, men of sincere integrity.

in the morning] Of the resurrection; when Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse shall arise at his second coming.

Psalms 49:15

But God] This answers that question, verse 5.

will redeeme, &c.] Raise up my body, and receive me into everlasting life; which is here opposed to all the worldly prosperity of faithlesse wicked men. See Gen. V. 24. Psal. LXXIII. 24. John XIV. 3. Acts VII. 15. 1 Thes. IV. 14. A clear testimony of the resurrection of the body, the immortality of the soul, and the life everlasting.

Psalms 49:16

Be not thou afraid] Stumble not, nor be offended at the prosperity of the wicked.

Psalms 49:19

never see light] Job XXXIII. 28, 30. Psal. LVI. 13. nor the light of heaven, Matth. VIII. 12.

Psalms 49:20

Man] Verse 12,

beasts] The Sheep, verse 14.