Psalm 49 16

Psalm 49:16 kjv

Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;

Psalm 49:16 nkjv

Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased;

Psalm 49:16 niv

Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases;

Psalm 49:16 esv

Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases.

Psalm 49:16 nlt

So don't be dismayed when the wicked grow rich
and their homes become ever more splendid.

Psalm 49 verses

Psalm 49 16 Meaning

This verse admonishes individuals not to be overwhelmed, intimidated, or filled with envy and fear when observing the great material wealth and ostentatious displays of prosperity by others. It serves as a reminder that the perceived security and "glory" derived from worldly possessions are ultimately fleeting and hold no significance in the face of mortality and divine judgment. The emphasis is on recognizing the transient nature of earthly riches compared to eternal realities.

Psalm 49 16 Context

Psalm 49 is a Maskil, a psalm of instruction, presented as a universal declaration for "all peoples, all who inhabit the world" (v. 1). It addresses the perplexing question of why the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer, a common theme in wisdom literature. The psalmist begins by calling for attention to a riddle or proverb (v. 4) that elucidates the futility of trusting in wealth. The psalm asserts that human beings, regardless of their riches or wisdom, cannot ransom themselves or others from death (v. 6-9). Even the rich and powerful inevitably die and leave their vast possessions behind (v. 10). Their perceived "glory" and "houses" become tombs, and their names quickly perish from memory (v. 11-12), rendering them no different from beasts that perish (v. 12). In stark contrast, verse 15 presents the profound hope for the righteous: "But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself." Therefore, against this backdrop of inevitable death and divine redemption, verse 16 provides the direct practical application: "Do not be overawed" by the transient splendor of the ungodly rich. Historically, this countered common ancient Near Eastern beliefs that outward wealth and large houses guaranteed prestige, an enduring name, or divine favor, illustrating that true security and an enduring name are found only in God.

Psalm 49 16 Word analysis

• Do not be overawed / Do not fear:
  • Hebrew: אַל-תִּירָא (Al-tira). This is a direct negative imperative, meaning "do not dread," "do not fear," "do not be terrified," or "do not be intimidated." It conveys a warning against a disquiet of heart or a respectful awe that might lead to envy, despair, or questioning God's justice. The instruction aims to guard against the psychological and spiritual impact of observing ungodly prosperity. The "fear" here implies a cowering, admiring, or succumbing to the temptation of wanting such wealth, or becoming disheartened because of its possessors.
• when others grow rich / when a man becomes rich:
  • Hebrew: כִּי-יַעֲשִׁיר אִישׁ (ki ya'ashir ish).
  • ki - a conjunction meaning "when" or "for."
  • ya'ashir - from the root עָשַׁר ('ashar), meaning "to be rich," "to grow wealthy," "to gain riches." This verb indicates the acquisition or increase of material possessions.
  • ish - means "man" in the general sense, referring to a person.
  • This phrase points to the visible act of accumulating significant wealth, highlighting the outward status that accompanies it, and implicitly, from the psalm's broader context, such wealth might not be tied to righteousness or godliness.
• when the splendor of their houses increases / when the glory of his house increases:
  • Hebrew: כִּי-יִרְבֶּה כְּבוֹד בֵּיתוֹ (ki yirbeh k'vod beito).
  • ki - "when."
  • yirbeh - from רָבָה (rabah), meaning "to multiply," "to increase," "to become great/many." It indicates a growing or intensifying display.
  • k'vod - from כָּבוֹד (kavod), which carries a rich semantic range including "glory," "honor," "splendor," "dignity," "wealth," "reputation," or "weight." In this context, it speaks of the magnificence, lavishness, and high esteem associated with the man's possessions and status. It's the visible manifestation of his power and importance, often intended to impress and command respect.
  • beito - from בַּיִת (bayith), meaning "house," "home," or "household." In ancient Israel, bayith often denoted not just the physical dwelling but the entire family, lineage, estate, and associated possessions, representing the owner's enduring legacy and power.
• Words-group: "when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases.":
  • These two parallel clauses precisely describe the specific manifestations of worldly prosperity that the righteous are warned not to be impressed by. The first clause ("when a man becomes rich") focuses on the accumulation of wealth itself. The second clause ("when the glory of his house increases") extends this to the visible, external display and associated social prestige of that wealth. It's not just wealth, but its grand and expanding presentation, which could lead to envy, questioning God's ways, or even adopting worldly values. The "house" (beito) signifies not just a building but the entire dynasty and legacy, which the psalm elsewhere dismantles as ultimately fleeting (v. 10-12).

Psalm 49 16 Bonus section

• Polemics against worldly values: Psalm 49:16 and the broader psalm serve as a potent theological polemic against the pervasive human tendency to equate material prosperity with ultimate blessing, lasting security, or divine favor. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, including surrounding nations, grand dwellings and accumulated wealth were often seen as irrefutable signs of one's power, an enduring legacy, and even approval from deities. The psalmist directly challenges this worldview, affirming that death, a universal equalizer, strips away all such earthly "glory" and "splendor," reducing even the most esteemed to dust. This is a direct counter-narrative to the idea that building an impressive estate ensures one's "name" or legacy lasts forever.
• The nature of "glory" (כָּבוֹד, kavod): The term kavod when applied to human possessions like a house, carries the sense of material splendor, reputation, and gravitas that such possessions bestow. It's the public display of status, honor, and prestige derived from wealth. The psalm asserts that this human kavod is entirely distinct from, and ultimately inferior to, God's divine kavod, which is eternal and sovereign.
• "House" (בַּיִת, bayith): In biblical context, "house" is far more than a physical structure. It often denotes a lineage, a household, a dynasty, or an entire estate. Thus, "the glory of his house" refers to the entire manifestation of a wealthy person's established power, prestige, and family legacy. The psalm warns against being impressed by this extended worldly influence, which is also subject to decay and oblivion.

Psalm 49 16 Commentary

Psalm 49:16 offers a crucial spiritual directive, instructing believers to remain unfazed by the material affluence and ostentatious displays of worldly power, especially by those who seem to live apart from God. The command "Do not be overawed" is not merely about avoiding fear, but also preventing despondency, envy, or admiration that might lead one to question God's justice or doubt His goodness towards those who walk uprightly. The psalm has already systematically dismantled the illusion of lasting security provided by wealth, asserting that no amount of money can ransom a soul from death. The rich, for all their accumulating "glory" in their "houses," inevitably face the same end as the poorest, ultimately decaying in the grave like beasts. Therefore, the grand homes, abundant treasures, and high societal standing, which often induce awe or envy in onlookers, are presented as temporary and ultimately meaningless without God. The righteous are encouraged to place their confidence in God, who alone offers redemption from death and provides true, eternal inheritance, making the temporal show of the ungodly rich utterly insignificant by comparison. This verse compels us to focus on divine, eternal realities rather than succumbing to the deceptive allure of fleeting earthly possessions.