Psalm 49 - An interactive presentation of its thematic structure

This psalm declares itself to be a riddle. A special challenge is therefore presented. (It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. - Proverbs 25:2) How is the riddle to be understood, and, what is its solution? It is, of course, possible to discern the meaning without a detailed literary analysis of this blessed Psalm, (See Psalm 49 - The Agora Bible Commentary for one example) but yet, the riddle and its solution may be uncovered by just such a study. Searching out what has been concealed by the skillful hand of the Divine Author and Architect of this Psalm within the Psalm's thematic structure not only yields up insight into His message but beyond that grants us an awe inspiring view of the beauty and perfection of the Heavenly Father's handiwork!

For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

1) Hear this, all peoples;

Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,

2) Both low and high,

Rich and poor together.

3) My mouth will speak wisdom,

And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.

4) I will incline my ear to a proverb;

I will express my riddle on the harp.

5) Why should I fear in days of adversity,

When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me,

6) Even those who trust in their wealth

And boast in the abundance of their riches?

7) No man can by any means redeem his brother

Or give to God a ransom for him--

8) For the redemption of his soul is costly,

And he should cease trying forever--

9) That he should live on eternally,

That he should not undergo decay.

10) For he sees that even wise men die;

The stupid and the senseless alike perish And leave their wealth to others.

11) Their inner thought is that their houses are forever

And their dwelling places to all generations;

They have called their lands after their own names.

12) But man in his pomp

will not endure; He is like the beasts that perish.

13) This is the way of those who are foolish,

And of those after them who approve their words.

14) Selah. As sheep they are appointed for Sheol;

Death shall be their shepherd;

And the upright shall rule over them in the morning,

And their form shall be for Sheol to consume

So that they have no habitation.

15) But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol,

For He will receive me. Selah.

16) Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich,

When the glory of his house is increased;

17) For when he dies

he will carry nothing away; His glory will not descend after him.

18) Though while he lives he congratulates himself--

And though men praise you when you do well for yourself--

They will never see the light.

19) He shall go to the generation of his fathers;

20) Man in his pomp, yet without understanding,

Is like the beasts that perish.

Directions:

1. Grab the closest Bible and verify that the text here is indeed the passage it is claimed to be. (or click here to open biblegateway.com in a new browser window) Nothing has been added or removed - nothing changed - not one word. The version shown for Psalm 49 is the NASB, but it could just as well be any version or language. The nature of the pattern remains.
2. Hover your mouse cursor over a line of text to see it highlighted along with its companion element(s).
3. Hover over a bar to see that group highlighted along with its companion group(s).
4. If your cursor changes from an arrow to a hand, click to bring up comments about the shared theme. You can drag the little presentation window around to place it where you like.
5. Meditate prayerfully on what you see, seeking insight about each pairing. How are the elements alike? How do they differ. Why are they paired?
6. Yes, it really is what it appears to be. It is a supernatural phenomenon! Praise the Lord, who has blessed us with great favor in these last days! His handiwork is beyond compare! He has magnified His Word above all His name!