---
title: "Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5"
author: "John Calvin"
translator: "James Anderson"
languages: [en]
shelf: "Commentaries"
section: 71 of 159
url: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/71/
cite: "John Calvin, tr. James Anderson, Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5, section 71. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/71/"
---

# Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 5

*John Calvin, tr. James Anderson*

Calvin on the Psalms, volume 5 of 5.

## 71. Psalm 49

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/71/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/john-calvin-commentary-on-the-psalms-volume-5/71/#p-N

[¶0] To the Chief Musician. Of the sons of Korah. A Psalm

[¶1] 1 Hear this all ye peoples; Give ear all ye inhabitants of the world:

[¶2] 2 Both ye sons of Adam, and ye sons of men, Rich and poor together.

[¶3] 3 My mouth shall speak of wisdoms, And the meditation of my heart is of understanding.

[¶4] 4 I will incline to a parable my ear: I will open upon the harp my enigma.

[¶5] 5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil? The iniquity of my heel shall compass me about.

[¶6] 6 They trust in their wealth, And in the multitude of their riches do glory.

[¶7] 7 The brother shall not be able to redeem; None shall give to God the price of his redemption.

[¶8] 8 And precious shall be the redemption of their soul, And their continuance for ever:

[¶9] 9 That he should still live for ever, And not see the grave.

[¶10] 10 For he shall see that wise men die, Together the fool and the brutish person shall perish, And leave to strangers their wealth.

[¶11] 11 Their inward thought is [how to make] their houses [to continue] for ever, Their dwelling-places from generation to generation: They have called out their names upon the earth.

[¶12] 12 And man in honor shall not abide; He hath become like the beasts: they perish.

[¶13] 13 This their way is foolishness in them, And their posterity in their saying will acquiesce. Selah.

[¶14] 14 Like sleep in the grave they are laid; Death shall feed them; And have dominion over them shall the upright in the morning, And their strength shall wax old; The grave shall receive them from their dwelling.

[¶15] 15 But God shall redeem my soul from the hand of the grave; For he hath taken me up. Selah.

[¶16] 16 Be not thou afraid when a man shall become rich, When increased shall be the glory of his house;

[¶17] 17 For he shall not at his death carry all away: Descend not after him shall his glory:

[¶18] 18 For his soul in his lifetime he will bless, And they shall praise thee when thou doest well to thyself.

[¶19] 19 He shall come to the age of his fathers, Even for ever he shall not see the light.

[¶20] 20 Man is in honor, and will not understand: He hath become like the beasts: they shall perish.