Psalm 49 –
You Can’t Take It with You
Introduction:
Psalm
49 is loaded with teaching and instructions. The date and occasion when the psalm was written are unknown.
The Psalm made up in 3 parts and the key to understanding this psalm is seen in
Psalm 49:13-20.
I. 49:1-4 – This word of
wisdom applies to everyone.
A.
The
scope of the application:
1.
worldwide
– all peoples – all inhabitants of the world
2.
economic
class application
a)
both
low and high
b)
both
rich and poor
B.
The
value of this teaching: wisdom and understanding.
C.
The
form of communication:
1.
a proverb
2.
a riddle - the point was intricate or obscure; it was not well
understood, and he purposed "to lay it open," and to make it plain.
II. 49:5 – Fundamental
question of the Psalm: Why should I let
the apparent prosperity of the wicked bother me?
III. 49:6-9 – false
security of the foolish.
A.
49:6
1.
Consider
the "powerlessness" of wealth…
B.
49:7-8 - They cannot bring the possessor happiness.
C.
49:9-11
- additional inabilities mentioned here.
1.
49:9 -
They do not enable the owner to live forever
2.
49:10 -
Riches do not enable the owner to determine what shall happen to them after his
death
3.
49:11 -
They do not enable 'their houses' to continue forever
4.
To what extent is our security and value
system tainted with a reliance upon wealth?
5.
We know intellectually that you can’t take it with you, but do our
day-to-day decisions reflect that reality?
IV. 49:13-20 – Answer to
the fundamental question in 49:5
A.
49:13
1.
Men do
not merely approve their sayings, they also approve
their ways, their life-style, their attitudes, etc., and eagerly follow in the
very patterns rich men have established, futile and foolish though they are.
B.
49:14
1.
The
wicked shall descend like a great flock of sheep into the nether world, where
Death shall be their shepherd!
C.
49:15 -
the solution to the “mystery”, the key to the" parable."
1.
The
souls of the righteous will be redeemed, not by themselves, but by God.
2.
"This
is one of the rare references in the Old Testament to a belief in an
afterlife."
D.
49:16-20
– recounting of what was before in 5-9. Answer: do not be
afraid!