Psalm 49:17 kjv
For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.
Psalm 49:17 nkjv
For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.
Psalm 49:17 niv
for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them.
Psalm 49:17 esv
For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.
Psalm 49:17 nlt
For when they die, they take nothing with them.
Their wealth will not follow them into the grave.
Psalm 49 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 49:6 | those who trust in their wealth and boast in the abundance of their riches | Against trusting riches |
| Ps 49:10-11 | for he sees that even wise men die... they leave their wealth to others. | All die; wealth passes to others |
| Ps 49:19 | though he calls himself blessed while he lives... he will go to the generation of his fathers | No enduring legacy after death |
| Ecc 2:18-19 | I hated all my toil in which I toil... I must leave it to the man who will follow me | Leaving labor's fruit behind |
| Ecc 5:15 | As he came from his mother’s womb, so he shall return again, naked as he came | Naked we come, naked we return |
| Job 1:21 | “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there." | Born without, die without |
| Lk 12:16-21 | The parable of the rich fool, who planned to build bigger barns... | God's condemnation of storing earthly treasure |
| 1 Tim 6:7 | for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out. | Bringing nothing, taking nothing |
| Prov 11:4 | Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. | Wealth useless in ultimate judgment |
| Is 14:11 | Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, the sound of your harps; maggots are your bed... | Worldly pomp ends in the grave |
| Matt 6:19-21 | “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy... | Store up heavenly treasures |
| Jas 4:14 | Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist... | Life is fleeting |
| Heb 9:27 | And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment | Certainty of death and judgment |
| Ps 39:6 | Surely every man walks as a mere phantom; surely they make an uproar in vain; they heap up riches and do not know who will gather them. | Futility of accumulating wealth for unknowns |
| Ps 73:19 | How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! | Sudden destruction of the wicked |
| Ezek 28:1-19 | Prophecy against the Prince of Tyre, symbolizing pride in riches and splendor. | God brings down the arrogant and their wealth |
| Jer 9:23-24 | Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me... | True boast is knowing God |
| 1 Pet 1:24 | for “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass; the grass withers, and the flower falls." | Earthly glory is fading |
| Eccl 9:10 | Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. | No activity in Sheol; finality of death |
| Hag 2:8 | The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. | God owns all wealth |
| Phil 3:7-8 | But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. | Worldly gain is loss for Christ's sake |
| Lk 16:19-31 | Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. | No comfort from earthly riches after death |
Psalm 49 verses
Psalm 49 17 Meaning
Psalm 49:17 underscores the absolute futility of earthly wealth and worldly achievements at the moment of death. It asserts that when a rich person dies, none of their material possessions or accumulated honor and splendor, which they greatly esteemed during life, can accompany them into the afterlife. Their transient earthly glory offers no enduring benefit or security beyond the grave.
Psalm 49 17 Context
Psalm 49 is a Maskil, a didactic psalm offering instruction. Its primary purpose is to instruct God's people not to fear the prosperity of the wicked or the powerful who rely on their immense wealth, for their boastful self-sufficiency offers no true redemption or eternal security. The psalm contrasts the transient nature of human life and material possessions with God's ultimate power to redeem from death. Verse 17 directly addresses the theme introduced in previous verses (e.g., 49:6-7) by showing the inescapable reality of death for all, especially those who trust in their riches, emphasizing that nothing earthly can be carried into the grave. Historically, it subtly challenged the pagan belief systems, like those of Egypt and Mesopotamia, where rulers were buried with vast treasures and monuments, indicating an attempt to extend their earthly power and glory beyond death.
Psalm 49 17 Word analysis
For when he dies:
- For: Kī (כִּי), a conjunction meaning "for, because, indeed." It introduces the explanation or reason for the warning against fearing the rich.
- when he dies: Yāmut (יָמוּת) - "he will die" or "he dies." This is a definitive statement, indicating the inescapable and universal fate of all humanity, rich or poor. The verb emphasizes the finality of physical cessation of life, a key theme.
he will carry nothing away:
- he will carry away: Yiqqaḥ (יִקַּח) - "he will take" or "he will carry." Refers to physically transporting or acquiring something.
- nothing: Kol (כֹּל) here is negated (lō') to mean "nothing at all" or "not anything." It's an absolute denial, emphasizing the complete inability to bring even the smallest part of their earthly hoard. This directly counters the ancient practices of burying wealth with the deceased, common in surrounding cultures (e.g., Egyptian burial practices).
his glory:
- his glory: Kĕḇôḏô (כְּבוֹדוֹ) - "his glory," "his honor," "his splendor," "his reputation," or "his wealth." This term is multifaceted. In this context, it refers not only to material riches but also to the associated prestige, status, influence, monuments, and anything that made the wealthy man appear great in the eyes of others. It represents the accumulated value, visible magnificence, and outward display of the rich man's life.
will not descend after him:
- will not descend: Yērad (יֵרֵד) - "he will go down," "he will descend." It refers to a downward movement, often associated with going into the grave or Sheol.
- after him: ʾAḥărāw (אַחֲרָיו) - "behind him," "after him." This signifies that whatever transient "glory" he possessed on earth does not follow him into the realm of the dead; it does not accompany him even as a symbolic retinue or continuing influence. This is a complete cessation of earthly value and power beyond the grave.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
For when he dies he will carry nothing away: This phrase encapsulates the central theme of the verse: death nullifies all material acquisitions. It directly challenges human inclination to accumulate and trust in wealth as a means of security or perpetual influence, stating a fundamental, unavoidable truth.
his glory will not descend after him: This expands the first part, moving beyond mere possessions to include the man's entire earthly splendor, status, and perceived power. It implies that the identity or legacy built on these earthly things is also confined to this world, unable to persist in the realm of the dead. This refutes the idea of a continuation of earthly power or reputation post-mortem.
Psalm 49 17 Bonus section
Psalm 49 functions as a wisdom psalm (Maschil), specifically addressing those who are distressed by the apparent prosperity of the wicked rich and who may be tempted to envy their lot. This verse, therefore, offers not just a theological truth but also pastoral encouragement by dismantling the illusion of power held by earthly wealth. It implies that what is truly valuable is not subject to the perishable nature of the body or material possessions, aligning with later New Testament teachings on spiritual inheritance. The phrase "his glory will not descend after him" may also implicitly speak to the concept of monuments or elaborate tombs, which were erected to preserve the 'glory' of the dead; the psalmist declares these are ultimately vain in the sight of God. The entire psalm positions God as the sole redeemer from Sheol (v. 15), contrasting His eternal power with the finite reach of human wealth.
Psalm 49 17 Commentary
Psalm 49:17 serves as a stark warning and an essential corrective to the human tendency to place ultimate value on material wealth and fleeting glory. The Psalmist delivers an unequivocal message: death is the great equalizer, rendering all earthly achievements and possessions utterly meaningless in the face of eternity. The wealthy man, for all his splendor and abundance, will enter death as empty-handed as any other. His esteemed reputation, monuments, and generational wealth—the very things he labored to amass—cannot follow him beyond the grave or purchase him deliverance from its dominion. This verse directly refutes the popular conceit of eternal earthly significance derived from material status and reminds believers to recognize that true, lasting treasures reside not in what can be acquired and lost but in what aligns with God's eternal purposes. This perspective urges a focus on spiritual values and an understanding that all human life, however grand, is temporary, emphasizing reliance on God rather than riches.