Psalm 49 11

Psalm 49:11 kjv

Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

Psalm 49:11 nkjv

Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, Their dwelling places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names.

Psalm 49:11 niv

Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves.

Psalm 49:11 esv

Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names.

Psalm 49:11 nlt

The grave is their eternal home,
where they will stay forever.
They may name their estates after themselves,

Psalm 49 verses

Psalm 49 11 Meaning

Psalm 49:11 describes the internal delusion of those who trust in their material wealth and possessions. They inwardly believe that their grand houses and properties will last indefinitely, spanning all generations, and they name their lands after themselves as if to solidify this permanent legacy. The verse highlights their misguided hope and their attempt to achieve a form of immortality through earthly achievements and possessions, rather than acknowledging the brevity of life and the ultimate vanity of such efforts.

Psalm 49 11 Context

Psalm 49 is a wisdom psalm addressing a profound theological and existential problem: the prosperity of the wicked and the struggles of the righteous. It serves as an admonition to the poor not to fear the arrogant rich, and a warning to the wealthy not to boast in their possessions, as neither wealth nor status can ultimately deliver one from death or God's judgment. The psalm directly confronts the prevailing ancient Near Eastern mindset, and often within Israel, that outward prosperity was a sign of divine favor and ultimate security. Verse 11 exemplifies the core delusion the psalmist critiques – the wealthy individual's internal conviction that their earthly achievements and property offer a lasting legacy and security beyond the grave, directly contrasting with the inevitable end that awaits all, regardless of their riches. Historically, land was the primary source of wealth and status in ancient Israel, and securing one's inheritance (nachalah) for future generations was paramount. The act of naming land was an important declaration of ownership and a memorial to oneself.

Psalm 49 11 Word analysis

• Their inward thought is:

  • Hebrew: qereb (קֶרֶב), literally "inward part," "midst," "heart," or "bowels." This denotes not just a passing idea but a deep-seated conviction, the core of their being or their strategic intention. It indicates a delusion stemming from the heart and mind, reflecting their true values and misguided trust.

• that their houses:

  • Hebrew: bâtehem (בָּתֵּיהֶם) from bayit (בַּיִת), meaning "house," "home," or "household." This signifies not merely physical structures but extends to their family line, dynasty, and lineage, encompassing their entire legacy. The houses symbolize their accumulated wealth and status.

• shall continue for ever:

  • Hebrew: lᵉ‘ôlām (לְעוֹלָם), meaning "forever," "for always," "eternally," "perpetually." This strong temporal expression reveals the audacious and self-deceptive belief of the wealthy that their earthly domain and family heritage will literally endure indefinitely, immune to the decay and transience that affects all human affairs.

• and their dwelling places:

  • Hebrew: mishkenōṯām (מִשְׁכְּנֹתָם) from mishkan (מִשְׁכָּן), meaning "dwelling place," "tabernacle," or "residence." This word often refers to a tent or portable sanctuary, but in this context, it emphasizes fixed, permanent residences. It underscores the belief in the enduring nature of their established territories and settlements.

• to all generations:

  • Hebrew: dor vador (דּוֹר וָדוֹר), meaning "generation and generation," "throughout all generations." This phrase reinforces the idea of continuity and permanence across an infinite expanse of time. It speaks to the human desire to establish an unending legacy that transcends their own mortality.

• they call their lands after their own names.

  • Hebrew: wᵉqāre'û ‘al-shmôṯām 'ădāmôṯ.
    • qāre'û (קָרְאוּ) from qara' (קָרָא), "to call," "to name," "to proclaim." This active verb emphasizes their deliberate act of establishing a personal memorial.
    • shmôṯām (שְׁמוֹתָם) from shem (שֵׁם), "name." The naming reflects an assertion of enduring ownership and a bid for personal fame or memorialization, seeking to associate their identity permanently with their possessions.
    • 'ădāmôṯ (אֲדָמוֹת) from adamah (אֲדָמָה), "ground," "land," "earth." This refers specifically to their inherited or acquired real estate, which in ancient times was the bedrock of wealth and societal standing. The naming of lands was a common practice, but here it's depicted as part of a futile attempt to immortalize oneself.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever": This phrase exposes the deep-seated spiritual error. It's not a superficial desire but a fundamental assumption embedded in their hearts. They mistakenly equate their tangible, man-made legacies (houses/lineages) with eternal duration, rejecting the divine order of transience.
  • "and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names": This further illustrates their ambitious but flawed strategy for immortality. They aim for perpetual lineage and an unending presence on the earth, memorializing themselves through land. This is a direct polemic against reliance on physical inheritance and fame, revealing it as a vain human endeavor against God's ultimate sovereignty and the reality of death. The actions described are an attempt to defy the natural cycle of life and death, an act of pride that assumes human agency can achieve what only God can grant.

Psalm 49 11 Bonus section

The deluded confidence of those trusting in wealth, as described in Psalm 49:11, is not limited to physical houses or land. In a broader sense, it encompasses any human effort or achievement—be it fame, power, corporations, or technological advancements—that people believe will grant them an enduring legacy or a form of immortality apart from God. This psalm thus provides a timeless theological statement on the limits of human enterprise and the ultimate sovereignty of the Creator over all creation, including human life and death. The act of "calling lands after their own names" represents an ancient form of self-branding and monumentalizing, an effort to create a self-made legacy that is ultimately dismissed by divine wisdom as vain.

Psalm 49 11 Commentary

Psalm 49:11 sharply critiques the human tendency to seek security and significance in temporal wealth and status. The "inward thought" (qereb) of the rich reveals a deep spiritual blindness—a conviction that their constructed legacies, their houses, and their inherited lands will somehow defy the inevitability of death and decay. Naming property after oneself was a cultural practice meant to establish a lasting memorial, yet the psalmist underscores its futility in the face of eternity.

This verse stands as a powerful counterpoint to worldly values. It's a reminder that no amount of material wealth or social influence can purchase exemption from mortality or guarantee an eternal legacy in this life. The attempt to create permanence through physical structures and names is presented as a tragic delusion. The true permanence and security, as implied throughout the Psalms, comes only through a right relationship with the Eternal God, not through the ephemeral possessions of this world. The ultimate failure of such human ambitions lies in the stark reality that "man abides not in honor; he is like the beasts that perish" (Ps 49:12).

For practical application, this verse prompts us to evaluate where our deepest hopes and sense of security lie. Are we investing in transient earthly 'houses' and 'names,' or are we building 'treasures in heaven' that are imperishable (Mt 6:19-20)? It calls for humility, recognizing God as the source of all true and lasting inheritance, and shifts our focus from fleeting earthly glories to eternal spiritual realities.