Psalm 49 9

Psalm 49:9 kjv

That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.

Psalm 49:9 nkjv

That he should continue to live eternally, And not see the Pit.

Psalm 49:9 niv

so that they should live on forever and not see decay.

Psalm 49:9 esv

that he should live on forever and never see the pit.

Psalm 49:9 nlt

to live forever
and never see the grave.

Psalm 49 verses

Psalm 49 9 Meaning

Psalm 49:9 declares the fundamental inability of human wealth, power, or any earthly means to ransom a person's life from the inevitability of death and the grave. It underscores that the price to escape this universal human fate is far beyond anything a mortal can pay, making any such attempt perpetually insufficient. This verse powerfully refutes the illusion that earthly possessions or influence can secure lasting life or evade ultimate judgment, emphasizing the futility of human reliance in the face of mortality.

Psalm 49 9 Context

Psalm 49 is a Maskil, a psalm of instruction or wisdom, delivered by the sons of Korah. The broader context of the Psalm (vv. 1-4) is an invitation to all people to listen to wisdom concerning life's fundamental truths. Verses 5-12 specifically address the folly of trusting in riches. The preceding verses (49:6-8) set the stage for verse 9 by presenting those who "trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches." The Psalmist asks if "any man can ransom a brother or give to God the price of his life." Verse 9 emphatically answers that no human or human resource can achieve this. It states that "the ransom of their life is costly, and it will never suffice," referring to the life of any man, including those very wealthy individuals mentioned previously. This verse functions as the climactic negative answer, proving the universal inadequacy of human power against death, which then sets the stage for the divine hope of redemption introduced in verse 15. The Psalm operates within a worldview where death is an inevitable, leveling force for all mortals, regardless of status, sharply contrasting this reality with any illusion of human autonomy or ability to defy ultimate biological and spiritual destiny. It implicitly argues against ancient pagan beliefs in afterlife rites or offerings which promised eternal security based on wealth or status.

Psalm 49 9 Word analysis

• For (כִּי - kī): A causal conjunction, meaning "for," "because," or "indeed." It introduces the reason or explanation for the statement made in the preceding verses about the inability of man to redeem a life. It underscores the profound truth being presented.
• the ransom (פִּדְיוֹן - piḏ·yōn): From the root pāḏâ (פָּדָה), meaning "to ransom," "redeem," "deliver." This term refers to the payment or price for liberation, often to secure release from bondage, debt, or death. It is the concept of a "buying back." Here, it specifically denotes the payment required to prevent death or release from the grave. Its significance is immense as it highlights a transaction that is impossible for humans to complete for their own or others' lives.
• of their life (נַפְשָׁם - nap̄·šām): Něp̄ěš (נֶפֶשׁ) in Hebrew has a broad semantic range, often translated as "soul," "life," "self," "person," or even "breath." The suffix -ām (שָׁם) indicates "their." So, "their life" or "their very self/being." This is not merely the spiritual soul but the entire person, their existence in its totality, encompassing vitality and consciousness. The point is about redemption from the inevitability of physical demise and spiritual reckoning for themselves.
• is costly (יָקָר - yā·qār): Means "precious," "valuable," "rare," or "costly." It implies something beyond ordinary worth, difficult or impossible to acquire due to its immense price. This signifies that the "ransom" needed is so incredibly high that it transcends all human capacity for payment.
• and it will never suffice (וְחָדַל לְעוֹלָם - wə·ḥāḏal lə·‘ō·w·lām): This phrase emphasizes the perpetual insufficiency of any human effort.
  • and it will cease/fail (וְחָדַל - wə·ḥāḏal): From ḥāḏal (חָדַל), meaning "to cease," "desist," "fail," "come to an end," or "leave off." In this context, it powerfully conveys that any attempt at humanly paying this ransom will utterly fail, prove to be futile, or forever stop short of its goal.
  • forever (לְעוֹלָם - lə·‘ō·w·lām): Signifies "forever," "eternally," "for all time," "never-ending." Coupled with ḥāḏal, it underscores the absolute and permanent inability of man to meet the required ransom. There is no point at which it will become sufficient; it is eternally impossible.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For the ransom of their life": This phrase introduces the subject of the inability to "buy back" existence. It points to a deep human desire—the preservation of one's own life, particularly in the face of death and decay. The word pidyon is crucial; it establishes a transactional framework which immediately implies a required payment, setting the stage for the unpayable price.
• "is costly": This describes the insurmountable nature of the price. It's not just expensive; it's infinitely valuable, denoting that its worth exceeds any earthly currency or possession. This highlights the spiritual truth that a human life's eternal value is incalculable by mortal standards.
• "and it will never suffice": This concludes the statement with definitive finality. The combination of "fail" or "cease" with "forever" renders human endeavors to conquer death utterly hopeless and perpetually inadequate. It negates any possibility of future accumulation or effort ever achieving this goal. This absolute declaration leaves no room for human self-redemption.

Psalm 49 9 Bonus section

The poetic parallelism characteristic of Hebrew poetry, though subtle here, enhances the impact. The "costliness" and "never sufficing" are two ways of saying the same thing: it's an impossible human task. This verse subtly contrasts human financial "currency" with divine "currency." The surrounding culture (e.g., Egyptian death rites, Mesopotamian rituals) often had beliefs where offerings or wealth could secure a favorable afterlife. Psalm 49:9 acts as a polemic against such syncretistic or pagan notions, asserting God's absolute power and exclusive provision for true life beyond the grave. The use of "nephesh" (nafsham) being unable to be ransomed signifies the complete person, both body and soul, highlighting that total deliverance is beyond human capacity.

Psalm 49 9 Commentary

Psalm 49:9 encapsulates a profound theological truth central to biblical thought: humanity's inherent limitation in addressing its deepest problem—mortality and the grip of the grave. It shatters any illusion that wealth, social standing, wisdom, or personal effort can provide an escape from the common destiny of death that awaits all. The term "ransom" points to a payment for release, often used in contexts of redeeming from slavery or penalty. Here, the "price of life" (or literally "the ransom of their life") is identified as "costly" (yakar), meaning its value is utterly immeasurable by human standards. The emphatic declaration "it will never suffice" (literally, "and it has ceased forever") renders any human attempt at self-redemption a perpetual failure. This verse directly challenges any trust placed in earthly securities for eternal outcomes, setting up the urgent need for a divine solution to the problem of death and the grave, which is later alluded to in the psalm. It serves as a stark reminder of human frailty and the absolute sovereignty of God over life and death. For practical usage, this verse compels believers to divest their trust from perishable things and seek the enduring hope offered by God's provision for salvation, as only God has proven capable of providing the necessary, sufficient, and infinitely precious ransom. For example, trusting in financial security over divine provision; relying on personal achievements rather than God's grace; seeking earthly fame instead of spiritual righteousness.