Psalm 49 5

Psalm 49:5 kjv

Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

Psalm 49:5 nkjv

Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?

Psalm 49:5 niv

Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me?

Psalm 49:5 esv

Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,

Psalm 49:5 nlt

Why should I fear when trouble comes,
when enemies surround me?

Psalm 49 verses

Psalm 49 5 Meaning

Psalm 49:5 addresses the righteous, challenging the rationale for fear amidst adversity or when confronted by the prosperity of the wicked. The verse probes why one should harbor fear "in days of evil" or trouble. The latter part, "when the iniquity of my heel trips me up" or "when the iniquity of my oppressors surrounds me," is open to interpretation. It either refers to the consequences of one's own past sins catching up and causing distress, leading to a loss of peace; or it refers to the sin and treachery of those who are at one's heels, those oppressors who seek to harm or bring down the righteous. The overarching message encourages confidence and faith in God's ultimate justice, dispelling fear when observing the temporary success of the ungodly, understanding that their wickedness will ultimately lead to their downfall.

Psalm 49 5 Context

Psalm 49 is a "Maskil," a contemplative or didactic Psalm, primarily functioning as wisdom literature. It directly addresses a pervasive human problem: the unsettling observation of the wicked's prosperity while the righteous face affliction. The psalm invites "all mankind" to listen to its profound counsel, aiming to alleviate the fear and envy that can arise from comparing one's struggles with the apparent success of the ungodly. Verse 5 sets up the central theme by questioning the legitimacy of fear in such circumstances. The subsequent verses (Ps 49:6-12) reveal the futility of trusting in earthly wealth and highlight the inability of riches to deliver from death or ransom a soul. The latter part of the psalm (Ps 49:13-20) then starkly contrasts the ultimate demise and shame of the wealthy wicked with the secure future and glorious redemption of those who trust in God. Thus, verse 5 functions as a pivot, acknowledging the problem of fear and introducing the psalm's spiritual solution. Historically, such concerns were common among the Israelites, challenging their understanding of God's justice, a theme frequently addressed in wisdom literature (e.g., Job, Psalms 37, 73).

Psalm 49 5 Word analysis

• Why should I fear: (לָמָּה אִירָא - Lāmmāh ’îrā’)

  • Lāmmāh (לָמָּה): "Why," an interrogative adverb. It signifies a profound questioning of the rationale or purpose behind an action, not merely a simple inquiry.
  • ’îrā’ (אִירָא): "I fear," from the root יָרֵא (yare'), meaning to fear, dread, revere. Here, it refers to a trembling anxiety or a dread, questioning why the Psalmist, or by extension the righteous, should give in to such emotions. This indicates a state of mind that the Psalmist believes is irrational or unrighteous.

• in days of evil: (בִּימֵי רָע - bîmey rāʿ)

  • bîmey (בִּימֵי): "In days of," from יוֹם (yom, day) + preposition "in" + construct plural. This phrase refers to periods of time characterized by adversity.
  • rāʿ (רָע): "Evil," denoting moral evil, calamity, distress, trouble, or affliction. This refers to times when the unrighteous prosper, or when general hardship and suffering are prevalent, presenting moral and spiritual challenges. It describes the socio-moral environment rather than personal fault.

• when the iniquity of my heel trips me up / when the iniquity of my oppressors surrounds me: (כִּי עֲוֹן עֲקֵבַי יְסֻבֵּנִי - kî ʿăwōn ʿăqēbַy yāsūbbēni)

  • כִּי (kî): This particle can mean "for," "because," or "when." In this context, it functions to introduce the reason or circumstance for the preceding question. "Why should I fear when..." or "Why should I fear, for..."
  • עֲוֹן (ʿăwōn): "Iniquity," "guilt," "punishment for sin." From the root עָוָה (ʿāwāh), meaning to twist, bend, pervert, to commit iniquity. It speaks of moral distortion, deviation from God's path, and the resultant guilt or consequences. This word directly relates to sin and its effects.
  • עֲקֵבַי (ʿăqēbַy): This is the most complex and debated term: "my heel(s)." From עָקֵב (ʿāqēb), meaning "heel" (literal anatomical part). However, ʿāqēb also carries several extended meanings and metaphorical uses, due to its root meaning of "to lie in wait," "overtake," "supplant," or "come from behind":
    • Interpretation 1 (Own Sin): It refers to one's own past misdeeds or secret sins ("the iniquity of my heel," where "heel" is metonymy for one's actions or a part of one's being that stumbles or errs). The idiom "sin at one's heels" or "iniquity of my heel" implies one's own sin "catching up" or causing one to trip and fall. This perspective emphasizes that the believer should not fear the wicked if their own conscience is clear.
    • Interpretation 2 (Oppressors' Sin): It refers to the iniquity of one's opponents or oppressors who are "at one's heels," pursuing, ambushing, or "tripping up" the righteous. In this sense, ʿăqēb refers to those who "supplant" or act deceptively, as with Jacob (Gen 27:36, where his name Ya'akov is related to ʿāqēb). The phrase implies the wickedness of those who are pursuing the righteous and whose own "iniquity" will eventually surround them (the oppressors) and bring them to ruin, not the righteous. Given the context of Psalm 49 about the wicked's doom, this interpretation gains significant weight. Modern translations often lean this way (e.g., NIV "when the iniquity of my oppressors surrounds me," ESV footnote).
  • יְסֻבֵּנִי (yāsūbbēni): "Trips me up," "surrounds me," "encompasses me," or "comes back upon me." From סָבַב (sāḇaḇ), meaning to go around, surround, turn about, encompass. This verb fits both interpretations: if it's one's own sin, it "encompasses" or "overtakes" them; if it's the enemies' sin, it "surrounds" or "ensnares" them (the enemies) as a form of divine justice, preventing the righteous from fearing.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Why should I fear in days of evil": This phrase establishes the central existential question addressed by the psalm. It acknowledges the natural human tendency to fear when confronted by injustice or hardship, setting the stage for the wisdom that follows, which counters such fear with spiritual insight.
  • "when the iniquity of my heel trips me up / when the iniquity of my oppressors surrounds me": This clause provides the specific cause or context for the potential fear, pinpointing either personal sin leading to consequence or external malicious sin causing distress. The ambiguity of "heel" intentionally highlights the internal and external challenges to faith and peace. The Psalm's response implies that regardless of whether it's one's own past folly or the malice of others, God's ultimate plan is not thwarted, and fear for the righteous is unnecessary.

Psalm 49 5 Bonus section

The genre of "Maskil" for Psalm 49 suggests it is a didactic or contemplative poem designed to impart wisdom. The opening call to "hear this, all you peoples" (Ps 49:1) signifies its universal message, applicable across cultures and times, addressing the fundamental human dilemma of inequity and apparent injustice. The choice of "heel" (עָקֵב - ʿāqēb) may also subtly echo Genesis 3:15, where the serpent bruises the heel, a minor injury compared to crushing the head. This might reinforce the idea that even when something "at one's heel" threatens (be it sin or enemy), it's a manageable threat when compared to God's ultimate victory. The psalm acts as a theological reassurance: fearing God is wise; fearing temporary human power or the consequences of earthly choices in an ultimate sense, is folly, especially given the eternal hope offered to the righteous in God.

Psalm 49 5 Commentary

Psalm 49:5, placed within a profound wisdom psalm, calls the believer to scrutinize the legitimacy of fear, particularly in times when wickedness seems to triumph or troubles abound. It acknowledges the common human struggle with dread when witnessing the temporary prosperity of the ungodly or facing personal adversity, which may feel like the "iniquity" of circumstance or past missteps "tripping up." Yet, the verse immediately questions this fear. It serves as an invitation to look beyond immediate appearances.

The core of the verse’s message, interpreted either as facing the consequences of one’s own past folly (sin's 'heels' catching up) or as enduring the schemes of deceitful oppressors, is ultimately about trust. If it pertains to personal sin, it gently directs towards repentance and relying on God's grace for freedom from fear, as true cleansing frees one from dread. If it speaks of the malice of oppressors whose 'iniquity' seemingly surrounds the righteous, it assures that the oppressors' iniquity is the source of their eventual downfall, not the cause for the righteous' fear. The wise response, affirmed throughout Psalm 49, is not to be dismayed by the temporal advantage of the wicked, for their fleeting glory holds no true ransom from death and judgment. Therefore, the Christian believer should rest in God's eternal truth and justice, understanding that worldly achievements, absent God, are futile, and ultimate victory belongs to the faithful. Fear diminishes when one comprehends God's control over life, death, and justice, especially when considering the promised eternal security for the redeemed soul contrasting with the perishability of the material wealth and the temporary life of the wicked.