May 03, 2022 – Tuesday
Psalm 49:1-4 NIV
1 Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all who live in this world,
2 both low and high, rich and poor alike:
3 My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.
4 I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle:
Comment.
Every so often the Verse of the Day will deviate from a planned subject, in this case repent or repentance, to look at something found in a Bible study. Monday evening’s Bible study covered Psalm 49 and it was a wonderful surprise with much that would fit easily in the New Testament. Plus, the Psalmist (unknown) saying (singing) he will expound or explain a proverb using his harp! You don’t see many proverbs in Psalms, in fact in most Bible versions or translations have only the one above. In a quick search only the NASB had more than one, it had three. One other surprise, it also mentions redemption,
Nonetheless, the introductory verses above tell us, Jew and Gentile alike, low or high positions, rich or poor, there are words of wisdom coming for us. Spurgeon’s in his Treasury of David writes, the poet musician sings to the accompaniment of his harp, the despicable character of those who trust in their wealth, and so he consoles the oppressed believer.
This is first shown in verses 5-6, Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me—those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches? There really are people who believe their wealth will ‘save’ them today as in the days of the Psalmist.
And what does the Psalmist say about such people? We find out in the following verses, 7-10, where he writes, No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—so that they should live on forever and not see decay. For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others. This was absolutely true. Until the Messiah arrived who would become the ransom for everyone, and by rising on the third day, shows that He had defeated death as well.
Then in verses 12-14 the Psalmist hammers this point home about the wealthy along with a promise, People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. Did you catch the promise? Here it is, the upright will prevail over them in the morning.
Then comes the wonderful news to enlarge upon the promise in verse 15, But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; He will surely take me to Himself. The Psalmist knows the faithless person cannot buy his redemption from death, only the faithful one can be redeemed by the only true redeemer, God Himself. Also, this verse may be looked upon as a promise or a prophecy, fulfilled by Jesus as He redeemed us on the cross if we would but repent and believe.
Bottom Line: Wealth has nothing to do with God’s saving grace. Only repentance and belief in the grace of God’s offer of salvation can change our eternal destination.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Not wealth, but only faith in Your Son offers redemption and a saving Grace for all of eternity. Your wonderful faithfulness is incredibly wonderful. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek