Psalm 49 6

Psalm 49:6 kjv

They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

Psalm 49:6 nkjv

Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches,

Psalm 49:6 niv

those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?

Psalm 49:6 esv

those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches?

Psalm 49:6 nlt

They trust in their wealth
and boast of great riches.

Psalm 49 verses

Psalm 49 6 Meaning

Psalm 49:6 points to individuals who place their ultimate trust in their accumulated wealth and possessions, exhibiting a sense of security and pride stemming from the abundance of their riches. This verse serves as a crucial identifier within the Psalm, delineating those whose misguided confidence lies in transient earthly assets rather than in the enduring power and redemption of God. It highlights a common human tendency to equate material prosperity with ultimate security and boasts, oblivious to life's true brevity and the futility of such trust.

Psalm 49 6 Context

Psalm 49 is a Maskil, a psalm of instruction or contemplation, addressing profound questions about human mortality, the fleeting nature of wealth, and the ultimate destiny of all people. It serves as a stark contrast between the wise, who understand eternal truths, and the foolish, who live for transient worldly advantages. Verse 6 directly follows a call for all to hear this wisdom (vv. 1-5). It introduces the subject of the rich and powerful who are the focus of the Psalm's critique, setting the stage for the exploration of their inability to secure themselves from death or truly redeem their lives, despite their great possessions. Historically, ancient societies, much like modern ones, often equated wealth and power with divine favor, social standing, and invulnerability. This Psalm acts as a polemic against such an ideology, challenging the belief that human power or wealth can overcome universal vulnerabilities like death, emphasizing a counter-cultural truth rooted in divine redemption.

Psalm 49 6 Word analysis

• those who trust: The Hebrew word for "trust" here is boṭechim (בּוֹטְחִים), derived from the root bāṭaḥ, which implies a sense of confidence, security, or leaning upon something. It signifies placing reliance or firm assurance in something. In biblical usage, this trust is ideally directed towards God (e.g., Ps 4:5, 37:3), making the misdirection of this trust to wealth a theological misalignment. It is an act of misguided faith, attributing to wealth what rightly belongs to God.

• in their wealth: The Hebrew term is ‘al ḥeilām (עַל־חֵילָם).

  • ‘al: a preposition meaning "upon" or "in," indicating the object of their reliance.
  • ḥeilām (חֵילָם): derived from ḥayil, meaning "strength," "power," "resources," "riches," or "substance." It can refer to military power (valor), personal strength, or material wealth. Here, it signifies the substantial assets and financial might they possess. The connection to "strength" underscores that they see their wealth as their personal bulwark or fortress.

• and boast: The word uvirbov (וּבְרֹב) implies "and in the greatness of," or "and in the abundance of." It carries the connotation of self-assertion or taking pride in something. This is not mere possession, but a public or inward acknowledgment of their wealth as a source of prestige and security, often leading to arrogance (e.g., 1 Kgs 20:11). The preceding 'u' (וּ) is a conjunction, "and," linking this boasting with their trust in wealth.

• in the abundance of their riches: The Hebrew is ‘ošrām (עָשְׁרָם).

  • ‘ošrām: "their riches," from ‘ošer, which specifically denotes "wealth," "riches," or "prosperity." Unlike ḥayil, which can have broader meanings of strength, ‘ošer is almost exclusively used for material wealth. The combination birbov ‘ošrām means "in the multitude/greatness of their riches," highlighting the sheer quantity of their possessions as the grounds for their boast. It signifies their overwhelming abundance and plenitude, from which they draw their false confidence.

• Word-groups Analysis:

  • those who trust... in their wealth: This phrase highlights the foundational issue: misplaced confidence. Instead of divine providence, their trust rests upon their material accumulation, treating it as a reliable, protective force. This trust forms a psychological and spiritual reliance that displaces reliance on God.
  • and boast... in the abundance of their riches: This extends the misplaced trust to active pride and public display. The "boasting" signifies not only self-admiration but also an open declaration of their self-sufficiency based on the sheer quantity of their assets. Their self-worth and perceived security are intrinsically tied to this external abundance, showcasing a materialistic worldview.

Psalm 49 6 Bonus section

• The term "Maskil" for Psalm 49 signifies that it is intended for deep contemplation and instruction, designed to impart wisdom regarding a perennial human struggle.
• The psalm functions as a didactic piece, warning against the futility of materialism and affirming God's ultimate sovereignty over life and death.
• The problem addressed in this verse is not wealth itself, but the trust placed in wealth and the pride derived from it. Riches can be a blessing, but only when held loosely and not elevated to the status of a god or ultimate provider.
• The Psalm implicitly sets up a polemic against the "wisdom of the world" (e.g., 1 Cor 1:20-21) that often celebrates material success as the ultimate achievement, countering it with divine wisdom that recognizes the vanity of such pursuits in the face of eternity.

Psalm 49 6 Commentary

Psalm 49:6 precisely diagnoses a pervasive human spiritual malady: trusting in transient resources rather than in the eternal God. It vividly paints a picture of individuals whose material prosperity has become their object of faith and the basis for their pride. The use of "trust" (from bāṭaḥ) here is deliberate; it is a word often reserved for trusting the Almighty. By applying it to "wealth" (ḥayil) and "riches" (‘ošer), the Psalmist exposes the spiritual idolatry inherent in such a worldview. These rich individuals mistakenly believe their vast possessions offer impregnable security against life's uncertainties, especially the ultimate certainty of death. Their "boasting" (implicit in uvirbov, abundance, leading to pride) is born of a deluded self-sufficiency. This verse challenges any notion that human might or financial solvency can insulate one from mortality or earn divine favor. It implicitly sets up the fundamental question: if wealth cannot deliver from death (as will be shown in subsequent verses), then what can? The Psalm's answer will unequivocally point to God alone as the Redeemer and deliverer. Practically, it calls for introspection, asking where our own security and boast truly lie, urging us to shift our trust from what can be lost to what is everlasting.