Ps 49: Why Should I Fear in Times of Trouble?

ESV Study Bible: it addresses the perplexity that the pious often feel when they encounter trouble, while unfaithful people seem to get along so well.Is not God expected to show his favor for the pious in how he treats them? The answer is that God will distinguish between the faithful and the unfaithful in what happens to them when they die.

1.The riddle: v.4 I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.
Pious -> Trouble
Unfaithful -> No Trouble
Why?

2. Common Outcome;Contrasting Destinations
We all die anyway, but our end destiny may be so different: Sheol is spelled out clearly in this Psalm; as compared to those whom God will deliver from Sheol :v15But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,for he will receive me.

Let's see what is wrong with the wealthy:
(i) they put their trust in something else other than God. v.6" those who trust in their wealthand boast of the abundance of their riches?"

(ii) they think money can solve all life's problems- expect they meet their match in death No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him- the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough-that he should live on forever and not see decay.

(iii) they are self-reliant : "v13a This is the path of those who have foolish confidence"; signs of success that we need to be aware of? praises from man... v13b" yet after them people approve of their boasts."; cf "v18 and though you get praise when you do well for yourself—" even man's praises are temporal! Therefore we should not rely on fortune and fame in this life, they are just temporal . (The Message v16:So don't be impressed with those who get rich and pile up fame and fortune.)


3. The key? :v 3 Understanding, ‘discernment’, the word to which the psalm returns in v 20—the discernment that there is another life in which earthly notions of power and influence do not operate; a life denied to the self–reliant.

Some interesting facts about money:
(i) it will all end up with other people: either while we are alive or when we are dead -> v10 NIV and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others.

(ii) it cannot be used to ransom our lives : world achievements count for nothing in the afterlife - much like Boice's illustration that monopoly money cannot be used in heaven.v7" Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life"

(iii) we cannot bring money to heaven (or hell?) v17 "For when he dies he will carry nothing away;"