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~~ ~~n l~X ~n1 nl ~ xo )~~ ~ e~ llt7l or y~ ~I~rt i5l ~~rTtt ~p nl Q~l ~ n ln~ 1~t ri1l ~r1~ J~1 ~~ rr ~1 -~ 11 ~y ~l u 1t 7~ 1l1~n~
nn l3It ~ten rn~j1 ~rt3n nn1 )11 ~~ TI ~~Q fi~ tTt J J~~~ n~ -m ~r nc ~~ gtm~ r1~~~ fJen1 ~1 ~~~ ~t~~~1 t~ 11tJ l1=l)1 ~yen1gt ~mr tlm ~it ll1nlt r1)lt fV ~ l~ln ~ ~Ilf jn ~ TI mr jtu In w Il~ ~7~ 1tI
m m~l tllU IX lnnn 1713 zo ~o 1 1- ~l -m~~ ~lt tl) llll( ~m~ lC 13nt mtI Nlf 1 Il 171( T1 f Mn ~ ll 1lU 1 lIm 1~( TI (xl ~ 7gt 11 lUU1 1 ll ~lT~ lJfl) tIll mn mr ~TI Ijt 1( fM 13~ r1l 1lt1( rs ~ Jltrsr sn -- ~ J nrt1 ~ nrnn ~ t1n l~ mCI1 l mTr atlt ~ Trtut ~ Jtcn 1~1 l~~ ~nit r~~Ml 1 X ~~ r-~ ~gt~ ~~m uc n~1 t~71n 1X T~~ 1 -CZl =~nQtl S1~~~~1 n1~gtl ~t~~ ~l ~ ~ ~I)l ~~I 1~ n~tl =~l 1f
~w ~1~~ ~~ ~lS1 n~at ~1 m ll -elt ml m~ )11 lal~ I lnm 1l(J 11 ~ n~ lIlQ I n 1M 1 ~I li~ l~iI Jegtz m m Ir 1Drf lIt I 11l111 lO -rm nltt 111 rtroir rnu i~W V Mmt llQi m ~111lC nll r~ lI~1I1lt rlt~ lt~ en 1)) ~ I rlI)t 11 rr OIvm fIetl ll) 1l) Utnlllf CTl m J n~ 1l m l lnw t tn1~~1
(n -O) m ill Ollt tI11u stVlO Ol 7 m1 n l1t f) Nnx mllt lW ml( lirtUf P ~n 111 ~ lln TIW ~ mllM 11 trl~ ~l rrlrll 1lmiddotn~ ilttI tr)tlC 1nJ(l 1=1 ~113 o~ ojr~ n~l U (11 11 1 OpoundIogtll3 ~I I 1ltl tl~ 71 1W 1 11 ~1l 7r~p Q 1 O rOlct mwrti 1 (IT ~) 1l11 tnl1l ~~ l~rl ~Ien 1vn )~ rIIrn Itgttl l~t (la X lraquo 17 ~11 rl nI ~ rl(~ (1 tl) lIt Zl~1 ~Sl
ttgt oitlll1 ( ttl) 1113111 111 pgtr om l lnll 011 lnl ~~lQ Me1 rtIl n~ 1=
~ ti n~ 1 ~W 1lm 1Jrlmt m W 11 ~ IlU r17 Zltrn 7 i -t ~~t r~~ ~l sl ~~ ryX ~ ti - ~~~ ~~ i ~n ~ - ~~~=1gt ~n ~ 111 i~ In mt n m - t=~ Tl1 r Ir ax ~K l n~ ml - IU 1~ ~~ n= MIt iJ1 1--jmoe ~ i~ lK 1II~~i7j 1lrm 1tgt1l Illrc 7 11 113
m lY+~ lit raquollt wJ ~ QI I1j f t I l lrett t71~ to ~ m tllaquo 1f) rraquoH3 ~ ~~ ~l ~ ~ VV 1 - cr- ~ 1)cent ~ i if W1~ ~ ~ OS ~~o l ~ m M-lt (raquo~ A~ ~ -) fI ~ ~n~~ ~ O~ ~~ (Jt ~ygt 1
~~ ~ ~ nfi ~O~A 1 (Mj In l)X~ XO) wru1 ~ ritz w ~~ r-~N ~ Q- Wl~ 01 t C mJ ~ tUt ilIn 281 ~ ~2~ ~e ~ 0 rt~ $tn CJVl~I 12$ GI 0l1~ ~ rt~fU0~
(l~lW~ 1 ~fl (~lO l)I1~ 11)1 ~)~ rJ (l~ t)~ 111gt ~ m ril~~ fi fOl
rh ~ Oil 1) II) If Jl)w ~fl II~ I(p) fllt gt
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s~~ IfrI~ ~_Jf 347
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3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
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14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
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i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
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2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
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C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
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~ ti n~ 1 ~W 1lm 1Jrlmt m W 11 ~ IlU r17 Zltrn 7 i -t ~~t r~~ ~l sl ~~ ryX ~ ti - ~~~ ~~ i ~n ~ - ~~~=1gt ~n ~ 111 i~ In mt n m - t=~ Tl1 r Ir ax ~K l n~ ml - IU 1~ ~~ n= MIt iJ1 1--jmoe ~ i~ lK 1II~~i7j 1lrm 1tgt1l Illrc 7 11 113
m lY+~ lit raquollt wJ ~ QI I1j f t I l lrett t71~ to ~ m tllaquo 1f) rraquoH3 ~ ~~ ~l ~ ~ VV 1 - cr- ~ 1)cent ~ i if W1~ ~ ~ OS ~~o l ~ m M-lt (raquo~ A~ ~ -) fI ~ ~n~~ ~ O~ ~~ (Jt ~ygt 1
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3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
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14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
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gt 7
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tf
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)
r J Df ( e I f f i
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D
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D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
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Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
m lY+~ lit raquollt wJ ~ QI I1j f t I l lrett t71~ to ~ m tllaquo 1f) rraquoH3 ~ ~~ ~l ~ ~ VV 1 - cr- ~ 1)cent ~ i if W1~ ~ ~ OS ~~o l ~ m M-lt (raquo~ A~ ~ -) fI ~ ~n~~ ~ O~ ~~ (Jt ~ygt 1
~~ ~ ~ nfi ~O~A 1 (Mj In l)X~ XO) wru1 ~ ritz w ~~ r-~N ~ Q- Wl~ 01 t C mJ ~ tUt ilIn 281 ~ ~2~ ~e ~ 0 rt~ $tn CJVl~I 12$ GI 0l1~ ~ rt~fU0~
(l~lW~ 1 ~fl (~lO l)I1~ 11)1 ~)~ rJ (l~ t)~ 111gt ~ m ril~~ fi fOl
rh ~ Oil 1) II) If Jl)w ~fl II~ I(p) fllt gt
-1 gt J - (( t i
_ -~~ i
- _ - - ~
(
~
v
r bullH
11 ~ ~ a~
B~
f t~
r r
LjI
s~~ IfrI~ ~_Jf 347
trl =~1IN
3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
i
~
~ f dj [
I
I f
middot1 i 1
I
I
i ~
~
-~ _-)
351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
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_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
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i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
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tf
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I
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)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
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Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
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pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
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i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
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epound- _--d -shy
f~ ) ~
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rtf I I
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ti
+ -
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l
- I J 0 1l i) ) jN
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r I i
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pici
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shy
t f
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til J I J II r D 0 D 9~ l ~ ~ ~ ~
i I ~ iii
D
D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
~ ~ = u
u tjl - ~ -=if
bull ~ ~
d
0 5
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bull ~
E -c
~ ~ ~
D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
~ ti
j u
Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
m lY+~ lit raquollt wJ ~ QI I1j f t I l lrett t71~ to ~ m tllaquo 1f) rraquoH3 ~ ~~ ~l ~ ~ VV 1 - cr- ~ 1)cent ~ i if W1~ ~ ~ OS ~~o l ~ m M-lt (raquo~ A~ ~ -) fI ~ ~n~~ ~ O~ ~~ (Jt ~ygt 1
~~ ~ ~ nfi ~O~A 1 (Mj In l)X~ XO) wru1 ~ ritz w ~~ r-~N ~ Q- Wl~ 01 t C mJ ~ tUt ilIn 281 ~ ~2~ ~e ~ 0 rt~ $tn CJVl~I 12$ GI 0l1~ ~ rt~fU0~
(l~lW~ 1 ~fl (~lO l)I1~ 11)1 ~)~ rJ (l~ t)~ 111gt ~ m ril~~ fi fOl
rh ~ Oil 1) II) If Jl)w ~fl II~ I(p) fllt gt
-1 gt J - (( t i
_ -~~ i
- _ - - ~
(
~
v
r bullH
11 ~ ~ a~
B~
f t~
r r
LjI
s~~ IfrI~ ~_Jf 347
trl =~1IN
3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
i
~
~ f dj [
I
I f
middot1 i 1
I
I
i ~
~
-~ _-)
351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
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_
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gt 7
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i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
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)
r J Df ( e I f f i
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f tlt
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Ce-
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bull tlt A i fv _ ~
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r gt ( i
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D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
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Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
m lY+~ lit raquollt wJ ~ QI I1j f t I l lrett t71~ to ~ m tllaquo 1f) rraquoH3 ~ ~~ ~l ~ ~ VV 1 - cr- ~ 1)cent ~ i if W1~ ~ ~ OS ~~o l ~ m M-lt (raquo~ A~ ~ -) fI ~ ~n~~ ~ O~ ~~ (Jt ~ygt 1
~~ ~ ~ nfi ~O~A 1 (Mj In l)X~ XO) wru1 ~ ritz w ~~ r-~N ~ Q- Wl~ 01 t C mJ ~ tUt ilIn 281 ~ ~2~ ~e ~ 0 rt~ $tn CJVl~I 12$ GI 0l1~ ~ rt~fU0~
(l~lW~ 1 ~fl (~lO l)I1~ 11)1 ~)~ rJ (l~ t)~ 111gt ~ m ril~~ fi fOl
rh ~ Oil 1) II) If Jl)w ~fl II~ I(p) fllt gt
-1 gt J - (( t i
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s~~ IfrI~ ~_Jf 347
trl =~1IN
3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
i
~
~ f dj [
I
I f
middot1 i 1
I
I
i ~
~
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351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
_- --J1 ~- -_ --shy ff r
_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
S l~
-shy - -
((I (if~fd --~ lic
I
-lt ~ l
-I-r Ir ~
(
jj
i lt1 ~~t 1
i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
(--- ~
l I C-) Irf Ur 1
I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
I s f( ~ N I~ middot1 -is h pVl
Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
I I
i Lof (If f
~
~
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j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
~ (gt1 ( d - ft )f fr-e) 115 f n
~----------~ )S r IgtK ~~~ --
i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
__ r j
1
~r
~__[~ ~ ~JD I
yj
~ciNe t)
epound- _--d -shy
f~ ) ~
- iy 7
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C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
m lY+~ lit raquollt wJ ~ QI I1j f t I l lrett t71~ to ~ m tllaquo 1f) rraquoH3 ~ ~~ ~l ~ ~ VV 1 - cr- ~ 1)cent ~ i if W1~ ~ ~ OS ~~o l ~ m M-lt (raquo~ A~ ~ -) fI ~ ~n~~ ~ O~ ~~ (Jt ~ygt 1
~~ ~ ~ nfi ~O~A 1 (Mj In l)X~ XO) wru1 ~ ritz w ~~ r-~N ~ Q- Wl~ 01 t C mJ ~ tUt ilIn 281 ~ ~2~ ~e ~ 0 rt~ $tn CJVl~I 12$ GI 0l1~ ~ rt~fU0~
(l~lW~ 1 ~fl (~lO l)I1~ 11)1 ~)~ rJ (l~ t)~ 111gt ~ m ril~~ fi fOl
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3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
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351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
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il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
m lY+~ lit raquollt wJ ~ QI I1j f t I l lrett t71~ to ~ m tllaquo 1f) rraquoH3 ~ ~~ ~l ~ ~ VV 1 - cr- ~ 1)cent ~ i if W1~ ~ ~ OS ~~o l ~ m M-lt (raquo~ A~ ~ -) fI ~ ~n~~ ~ O~ ~~ (Jt ~ygt 1
~~ ~ ~ nfi ~O~A 1 (Mj In l)X~ XO) wru1 ~ ritz w ~~ r-~N ~ Q- Wl~ 01 t C mJ ~ tUt ilIn 281 ~ ~2~ ~e ~ 0 rt~ $tn CJVl~I 12$ GI 0l1~ ~ rt~fU0~
(l~lW~ 1 ~fl (~lO l)I1~ 11)1 ~)~ rJ (l~ t)~ 111gt ~ m ril~~ fi fOl
rh ~ Oil 1) II) If Jl)w ~fl II~ I(p) fllt gt
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trl =~1IN
3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
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351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
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1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
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gt 7
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tf
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)
r J Df ( e I f f i
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D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
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Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
m lY+~ lit raquollt wJ ~ QI I1j f t I l lrett t71~ to ~ m tllaquo 1f) rraquoH3 ~ ~~ ~l ~ ~ VV 1 - cr- ~ 1)cent ~ i if W1~ ~ ~ OS ~~o l ~ m M-lt (raquo~ A~ ~ -) fI ~ ~n~~ ~ O~ ~~ (Jt ~ygt 1
~~ ~ ~ nfi ~O~A 1 (Mj In l)X~ XO) wru1 ~ ritz w ~~ r-~N ~ Q- Wl~ 01 t C mJ ~ tUt ilIn 281 ~ ~2~ ~e ~ 0 rt~ $tn CJVl~I 12$ GI 0l1~ ~ rt~fU0~
(l~lW~ 1 ~fl (~lO l)I1~ 11)1 ~)~ rJ (l~ t)~ 111gt ~ m ril~~ fi fOl
rh ~ Oil 1) II) If Jl)w ~fl II~ I(p) fllt gt
-1 gt J - (( t i
_ -~~ i
- _ - - ~
(
~
v
r bullH
11 ~ ~ a~
B~
f t~
r r
LjI
s~~ IfrI~ ~_Jf 347
trl =~1IN
3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
i
~
~ f dj [
I
I f
middot1 i 1
I
I
i ~
~
-~ _-)
351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
_- --J1 ~- -_ --shy ff r
_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
S l~
-shy - -
((I (if~fd --~ lic
I
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-I-r Ir ~
(
jj
i lt1 ~~t 1
i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
(--- ~
l I C-) Irf Ur 1
I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
I s f( ~ N I~ middot1 -is h pVl
Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
I I
i Lof (If f
~
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j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
~ (gt1 ( d - ft )f fr-e) 115 f n
~----------~ )S r IgtK ~~~ --
i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
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1
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~__[~ ~ ~JD I
yj
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epound- _--d -shy
f~ ) ~
- iy 7
fQr
Itfle
rtf I I
v
ti
+ -
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C ~j
l l l
l
- I J 0 1l i) ) jN
I
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~ e )
r I i
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pici
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1 t bull j I C J l
shy
t f
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l gt (lYCmiddot
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j I
til J I J II r D 0 D 9~ l ~ ~ ~ ~
i I ~ iii
D
D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
~ ~ = u
u tjl - ~ -=if
bull ~ ~
d
0 5
~ I f
bull ~
E -c
~ ~ ~
D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
~ ti
j u
Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
(l~lW~ 1 ~fl (~lO l)I1~ 11)1 ~)~ rJ (l~ t)~ 111gt ~ m ril~~ fi fOl
rh ~ Oil 1) II) If Jl)w ~fl II~ I(p) fllt gt
-1 gt J - (( t i
_ -~~ i
- _ - - ~
(
~
v
r bullH
11 ~ ~ a~
B~
f t~
r r
LjI
s~~ IfrI~ ~_Jf 347
trl =~1IN
3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
i
~
~ f dj [
I
I f
middot1 i 1
I
I
i ~
~
-~ _-)
351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
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_
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gt 7
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i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
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)
r J Df ( e I f f i
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f tlt
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Ce-
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bull tlt A i fv _ ~
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r gt ( i
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D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
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Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
(l~lW~ 1 ~fl (~lO l)I1~ 11)1 ~)~ rJ (l~ t)~ 111gt ~ m ril~~ fi fOl
rh ~ Oil 1) II) If Jl)w ~fl II~ I(p) fllt gt
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s~~ IfrI~ ~_Jf 347
trl =~1IN
3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
i
~
~ f dj [
I
I f
middot1 i 1
I
I
i ~
~
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351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
_- --J1 ~- -_ --shy ff r
_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
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I
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(
jj
i lt1 ~~t 1
i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
(--- ~
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I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
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f tlt
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Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
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i Lof (If f
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j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
~ (gt1 ( d - ft )f fr-e) 115 f n
~----------~ )S r IgtK ~~~ --
i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
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1
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yj
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epound- _--d -shy
f~ ) ~
- iy 7
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il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
(l~lW~ 1 ~fl (~lO l)I1~ 11)1 ~)~ rJ (l~ t)~ 111gt ~ m ril~~ fi fOl
rh ~ Oil 1) II) If Jl)w ~fl II~ I(p) fllt gt
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s~~ IfrI~ ~_Jf 347
trl =~1IN
3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
i
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middot1 i 1
I
I
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351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
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2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
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C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
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3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
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351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
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il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
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s~~ IfrI~ ~_Jf 347
trl =~1IN
3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
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351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
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_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
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jj
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i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
(--- ~
l I C-) Irf Ur 1
I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
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Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
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j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
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i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
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yj
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epound- _--d -shy
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rtf I I
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t f
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i I ~ iii
D
D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
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u tjl - ~ -=if
bull ~ ~
d
0 5
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bull ~
E -c
~ ~ ~
D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
~ ti
j u
Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
l 3
l 1 1 amp ~tl-I -
I f
~
PLATE x
-lt
(
~
v
r bullH
11 ~ ~ a~
B~
f t~
r r
LjI
s~~ IfrI~ ~_Jf 347
trl =~1IN
3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
i
~
~ f dj [
I
I f
middot1 i 1
I
I
i ~
~
-~ _-)
351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
_- --J1 ~- -_ --shy ff r
_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
S l~
-shy - -
((I (if~fd --~ lic
I
-lt ~ l
-I-r Ir ~
(
jj
i lt1 ~~t 1
i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
(--- ~
l I C-) Irf Ur 1
I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
I s f( ~ N I~ middot1 -is h pVl
Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
I I
i Lof (If f
~
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j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
~ (gt1 ( d - ft )f fr-e) 115 f n
~----------~ )S r IgtK ~~~ --
i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
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1
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yj
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epound- _--d -shy
f~ ) ~
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rtf I I
v
ti
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l
- I J 0 1l i) ) jN
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r I i
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pici
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shy
t f
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l gt (lYCmiddot
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j I
til J I J II r D 0 D 9~ l ~ ~ ~ ~
i I ~ iii
D
D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
~ ~ = u
u tjl - ~ -=if
bull ~ ~
d
0 5
~ I f
bull ~
E -c
~ ~ ~
D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
~ ti
j u
Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
l 3
l 1 1 amp ~tl-I -
I f
~
PLATE x
-lt
s~~ IfrI~ ~_Jf 347
trl =~1IN
3) Sons of miln anu ~()ns of
men 1Hke rich and p0lt1r together iD~ W~~f1l~ l1~ wrO~ (3 4) My mOllth de~lres 10 ller l~lK l~~JlJ
what I in accordance wilh wis f~~Q n1) l ~ ~ T
dom and the medilation of my ~nt~~Jnhear whal is seernly to under
$lilAding
s) i mysdf wllJ incline my ear flrIDN llN- ttl1l i1tlN Ifp[0 the parable I shall ~olve my ~ V l I
f
riddle myself upon the harp ~l)TD 1D~~
V J nl ~l C~ J)j( )1 are peopllt who derive $Oint ad IJtagev3
throllgh th~ fact tbt h~y CM trace h~d their nnccstry o men of di~ tinclion who pride thcm~lves and are re~ptltled nm hecausIO or lny meri1v of their own nm because )f the ~ehievnnents of SJme di(ngu~hed Hlce~tor QII ~J inclm~s the Vilst mjoriy who laek such pcdigre~ The mesagc which this psalm ~eeb 10 convey i5 or ~qHally greH importance for hiln the f(gtrm~r ilnd Ihe latter clllegltry of hUnln being~ POf pltwcr and Wth
lire ovltnlled and worshipped not Oily by hose who POts them hut to the s~me eyt~llt if nut cven mme i0 --- by tliOe who hd diem It is precisely to Ihose hM nrc not t~ndilwd with great wltalth hat Psalm 49 seeks to bring ~hc proper llndcmnndirg nr Ine pltxiion Kluay ltxcupied
~wh ouler trappings of power
V 4 1)1 0 It h nN l)~n HId mlll Stich a ~iltmen would be too presumptuous for it would Imply a perfnlion of )11lgt1 and 1l1lll which Uisls ouly as all ideal rmm and fi1lm arc in the plural 3ml elpress Ule same thoughl as do the feminine pllla forms ~gtBdJ as t1l~middotu hvl m1) Nc i e things indicating the ollcell of illm and 1In things lilal IIle pnxllfced hy wisdom 3nd undZfit~lding llings 11m middot~m alpmprjJt~ to thc~l virtli~s This feminine pluriJl (Olin indicates unital) cnIK~pt It is wisdom in toe multiplicity of liS concrete application Sec also Plnv I 10 91 mtllf au the tiad1inp of wisdom ilS ~~plidlly Jivcn and nmn u (he iJfer~nce~ ilt are 10 bc drawn fwm the fmmcr (~c Gen Iln)
V 5 m nt)lI This undcf5tnding says (h~ p~nlmjM was no deri~d from my Own wisdom Ex~lcd by Divine i1lSpir~iol i is to
higher Yoke that I lislen and lhat which ordinarily would s~m a riddle 10 me s~ems plajn ami CleM In my mind whcn the trins of my hMP hrin~ me elllltaliQI1 The riddle h II closed hook 10 Ihe mind a book wlkh
lhe solutioll opens lhefefore the word rinD is u$ed til indicate Il( cOllcept
~tgt t3 l 11 Wl
PSALM XUX
1) To Him Wh() grants vkshy
im) a P5alm of the sons of Korah
~ bull L ~i11 rr1j~~1 ~~ 1 ~o l bull flI
2) Hear this aU you nations ~li~P CWliJ7f MNrV71P give ear aU you inhabitants of the ~~ ~~f neetlng world
PSALM XLIX
V l The songs of the mns of Korah which we have read up to lli5 poinl aU had thcmlt5 lhal applied spf~cificaUy to the Jewish nIlUOI1 The wlltcnt of PSlllm 19 however whkh s he final hymn in thi~ grOllp nf sOfll~ ~e dow by Hthe wns of KOfllh has equal significance Cor all or mankind Its theme is the rel(ltiDJnip of UlHS material po~rosampiotls to his ro(Hal (lnd spiritual HlSk in life l is oilly by fulfillig this task during his M3Y on eilrth ltlml by employing all his phyical and maerial res(Juras ll~ means 10 this end Ihat man call re~m his spiritual existence ~o that il will readl beyond the fleeting span on earth and enter inlo immortality when his body dii H however he shmskl fail tn recognixc his true pllfPOSltgt in Ufe and if he ~hfmld regard thl arquisillon of ro~erlil we~lth 3 lIll elld in itself flild a5 his main goal on earth Ihen he will forfeit immortality both il~rc hdow and ill Hr(Jllen above and hi~ eltislwce wi not eOl1l1nue heyond lt grav~ In tb psllm the Oll~ of KOfllh all upml all the communilies of men as well fl~ upon all individuals irrespcclive of class and ~oda poshiol1 tu tak~ this truth to hcnr1 This is om~ basic lruthwhkh no olle call alkHd 10 dismiss lightly
V 2 U1 191)111 Wllll expresses Ihe command nO 10 dos- mn ea$ 10 the )eo~lge which this palm recb tn convey to us Um1
wmruOll$ liS to ind1c our -1 ill order to atccept the lea~hing offered IN no nther reason bill th1t we fed a need for it The ability to properly eV11uale the tme worlh of matedl wealth without oVZlTating it ill imked or g eat imporlanc~ for Ihe flJllioJls of mmkilld hut it is absolutely inshydI5pZnsiblc to the individual if he is 10 fulfill his purpose in life Fnr it i~
the imlividt~ lhat m~ really and truly 11 lW lilerHy the inhabitan~ of a wnrld Ihat $ ~llbjeci tt) the nm of dcey The entire phy~lc1 world in and Ihrough which Iheir live5 spring forth llnd develop is cQllslantly wcepribk 10 the effect of dmiddot3Y Tnerefofc bove all it is nreS5ary for mortll man to lJlldrMand the rult wurth of Ihe mltllt~rial goods which are his ponion in his InUt~HOfY worid (Im sec P~lm 396)
3-41 Q ~ gtl ~ 7 M l
7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
i
~
~ f dj [
I
I f
middot1 i 1
I
I
i ~
~
-~ _-)
351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
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_
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gt 7
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i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
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)
r J Df ( e I f f i
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f tlt
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Ce-
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bull tlt A i fv _ ~
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r gt ( i
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D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
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Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
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7) to thoe that pllt thir lin J)M-~tl OM~D (Ifll~t in Ihcir w~allh md rury ill - 1 ~ ~
he tlluhiiBd of tildr I cIKS ~~~n ChitV tt ~ V
8 And yel noi nHC of them o~b Ilj~N O~ iiitnb il~ (8~ ~ J ~ bull v t wiil redeem his brother wlh il and
thus does nO It Cot hi ln~bJ
nm$OIll
9) For them Ihe rdemption or trh OiOl i~ 9I lt their own S(Hil j too tslly aad il ft
sh~~n c~i$e to be fOfcer Oil~ 7
10) And yet he desires tu live ilK~
) ) rb Mll) jjvn~ (10I ~on in elernity he uocs nO wish I v
(gt see delay rltln t
~- of pprlIly UIlnudcd hIPlil laving ltltmil In 1kllId 11 j
palmhs no kgtngn kaL thd hi IiI wi I)~ n) ltf ib umiddotmiddot lt iy heciimc he i POOf in W)fdly gQod$ ~l$ COlllPI1d 10 )lh~ 11I~1l mJ h~ pound$ his na~on$ for ~li llcwlymiddotmiddotglmd I~e d mind in Vr~ I 1 mlt l
7~ 8 9 11 Cpr-OJi1 lhi psahnht r ~y sp~tki of thn~~ vho bmw no kar HO b~cluq hy hlVt~ fililh in (Itd hut bcnmiddot~ ilV plac~ lhdr lnist in Ihmiddoti mIIi pnsltsiOb Thql nUlm lit l d Iheir lilles hat is h emmaiiml of their lmiddot ~nnalililt only in I f abundjnc~ of (hdr an~irt~ middotLal~h Thy H~C thLtr pc~s(~~ins only f)f
5elfi~h PUfPOCgt and not a Ilcans tmltiard the nd d fBJiiliing iheir dUly fail to (HlpOy their ridls 10 Inc their klkwf(n from wml iHd re
and 5) mgkcI (lt) Pi) God Ih rHlsom du~ Ilim ffJ h~ir I)ll sml~ (Sr~ Commentary 1lt) Ewil 3ll 12) Their Own iWfpinc~~ is roo pe(iolls for (hem and they liiv~ s(( CPIlC)fl1 (fir ne tIflr i ltJth~f TIly hw their mOlly more tlntl they ltb thdr own ~(nk TIt() cambull)1 hring l1m~ selves to redccal their nuh frofU that de~tnl(ion Iigth slulf h (he fate (if aH l~HJ~e whoS liviit hdi bccr tkvo(id Hdy (a dil lI gdin and pl~ilsllfltf In Ihnb~tyt1g fnr hir pt)sperisy they ShtgtHJd hive giv(l somc conlrilmliofl cornm~n~lflile with their walill ind Ihii(y llrd ile tvalceUm of the wdfr~ II 1I1r felow mn hn h~y lv( ~adly iaibl ( do so nuc Ihey h( ncgc~kd Ihb dmy n~l11 ~lIl -n tllr ~oll ~hall C~1se to be ThlY Imlle done nmhinf to insnre the perpNIItiofl of their SOU5 fOf lllllh~ time5 io come -11 sec Palm 396
V 10 111 ))1 111 And y hi HgtHmrlity af(er d~fh ii nnl [
llUIHr of indHktcentllccent n him by Imy m~il~ he love ife HId HHld~r at the thought tha be might WI ilwlY in lilt travlt~
~348 ~~ =~~r
6) Wherefore ~hould I rCa il1 liJ ~ NIt ii1ZJ~ (6IW f ~lt~ (lie rly of evil when the iniuiy ~f~9~ ~~Rll1I (fod llpnn wilid m) hlcs ~Brraquo
rounds me
and theof wiving Va~ ( tells of lhe riddle th troubkd the 1HSwer Wlil he fuund VllIh hlt aid of hi harp
V 6 m llt1l( -m The statement Ill )1 1 iNI if Vete 17 wuld indkae that the k~r 10 which reference is made in Verse 6 is
no caused by ltir d of pIyka pc ril The ttgcn for I he was she fear lh(lt he might filiI to fumn his true purpose in of his Ilneasinrs was the realization Ihat he had received only a very ll1ltager portioll or those matron POSS(gtions the acquisition and attainment of which HIm others rrgar as tht~ sole goa and purpose of their eltst~lC~ on crtli If on I~kt$ oUdl a vie 01 life then of course h~ question of min k~liIlY on ltrl11 seem ol diflicnH dodk tfllled It he dessiny and tliltrcf)r h~ vidoc 0 each human life i in dirrrt relntk)n to the amount of tlHgibk rlhly goods vCquircd thmiddotn lllall has link comwl OWl whOhcr or t11t h~ fumligt hi destiny and only a mimllc fraction )f hurnanity t~mlld ~lcceed in doing 0 If lhi wac ilHhcd so shen of comslt he on whom fortune rms timed i bltlik 1S i1 WCH~ cDuld b~ in f~Hillg thr nur he ilt deprived 0 the lallgihe w(~hh hnt the cnth has to offcr hilt ~jfc NiH lil~n oe it) Hgt~~l gtrth UQCVff) we are told in ~hi$ p~aJm X~ follow Why hOllld J have sud ftars at imes whn my Hillleria k~rmne i~cm lew whcn 330 lv~ 111 Ve da nOl have hen I1WII lW )1) ln a sllCmcn which wJuld indklt~ a sin tll~ lks bdore us o~ we walk upon the palh hnlugh m a sin which Wf~ e()mmil COl1StiOBSy and on purpose IncuJ the pslnl 01 I1J iW sins that if hehind om heels whidl we owrloGk as ve io life wrong~ Ihal w have done tlile fO
mifsltnc mtl kvy (eL (Plmfi 1) DCIt 7 12) Vicwi life wilh a
HHfC rnaturc oHtook gained fiom the cr hh ~org~ tht~ hel tnlllC tn ~ii Iha ~n ll Ih evil urygt when luppincss has ktl mostly om UPOIl thoc who haw ~fn( lot Oil pUfpose ddibnatcly tr heCHl~ nf tvil intention bIn inpy OICIIS of he lack 11 a ens of drly whkh Imllkl bve kd 1hcm In wdgh e~rcfuny every Iq of lifes journey It is upon mcn lei s fhi lhal he J onl trir~r sad dlYS in order to IJfnmnn hcm to carnes intrltgtspreliltgtrl and W lrair them to hi more aHenlivf to their duty It is only people who nre $ill capabk f lwitjng by such SLinilj 111t rcccive (kds r11j~lis~mm ror Whom thc Lord loves HI
offccb and wiigtcs 10 mak him wt)fthy nl I I1s (~vor like a f~lhr w(luld his $(10 (Pmv 3 12) whlle Ihme wlO arc lworrigihk re left in a stale
i
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I
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351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
_- --J1 ~- -_ --shy ff r
_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
S l~
-shy - -
((I (if~fd --~ lic
I
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(
jj
i lt1 ~~t 1
i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
(--- ~
l I C-) Irf Ur 1
I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
I s f( ~ N I~ middot1 -is h pVl
Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
I I
i Lof (If f
~
~
~
j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
~ (gt1 ( d - ft )f fr-e) 115 f n
~----------~ )S r IgtK ~~~ --
i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
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yj
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epound- _--d -shy
f~ ) ~
- iy 7
fQr
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rtf I I
v
ti
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l
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r I i
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shy
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til J I J II r D 0 D 9~ l ~ ~ ~ ~
i I ~ iii
D
D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
~ ~ = u
u tjl - ~ -=if
bull ~ ~
d
0 5
~ I f
bull ~
E -c
~ ~ ~
D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
~ ti
j u
Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
l 3
l 1 1 amp ~tl-I -
I f
~
PLATE x
-lt
i
~
~ f dj [
I
I f
middot1 i 1
I
I
i ~
~
-~ _-)
351 0 i ll~ l l
14) This is their way their
folly remains with them and Ihdr descendants approve of it wit
that which they have learned from their mouths [SeJah]
15 Uke sheep lhq arc turned
toward the grave death shall be theJr shepherd willi the shall have Overcome them in Ihe
moming imd their spirit i5 desshy
tined to endure beyond the grave
W tllllt i shall tin n~main their dwellingplice
I o~ 1q orn1](14
rlzp ~yenT C)tf
~~ f1~ f~ 1~1f7 Nyen~ (I5
C1~~1 1(~7 I ~~ q 1il~ i ~~mmiddot 17 ~~ 1ffip n11~7
egotism will flev~r be rewilnkd by c6miled life after deilh eitht~r ill thj~ world Of in Ihe ne)(1
V 14 m tit lt11 1 isect the (oily o whkh lhey have held (ast d~spie til eltperilnct they have gatlsed S CmnmenUfY h3 Gn 457 U illll ltIlKl Their descendarm appmve 1f ie or it may be dli the tlil der 10 Iheir fathers l1ll is nflen cmpklyd to (knOi not
the mouth bUl that which the Ilmlllh i)l~ ullcr as in 1l 11t nm1V~ (Gen 24 57) n l a~ in 1 0 11~ 11 (neu I 26) Jnd chwhiOre Here too the thought i~ they give Ihis way of life their Imquaiified approval wid he tlH~)ncel they ll3ve leamed from thelr fMilers
V 15 m Tet1J Ul11l is in the llctive mood IS in liN) lI~W Ull Psrdm 7322) Even if no ohjcct i added ilS in l1JW1 ~ll) l11lt USlJiah 227) il would fIIt3n to dire~l ones way tl l certin place Th grave Wll~ m)t miginally appointed lli lhrif tirwl dcsHf1llinn They have IUrwd th~lr ~leps loward the gllve by mem of their own 5inful Hiles tl~ ml Death me a sheph~rd follows al tho who wanow in abundallCl and lead a life of disiparjon Oil ~Mth Death nllow Ihem 10 g(~lZC in the p3SUr~ of life uni gorged and fattened they f1i vklinl 10 dn~y
111 tI3 ~l 11 (sec COnlmenlary ao Gel 12i means w gtub due something to retilln a peuon or Ihing in one powa to mle Therefore 03 cannot very wdl refer to the ofl Sf CrtPl elc dgtcribed in the foregoing The relationship of Ihe 11l1 It1 Ihe Iuer i hy no ma1~ ~mh Ihat ltlne eould sy IIl Ihe wide 11 hccll ~htlIsd hy the righlemll Even if in the final analy51~ we houd wall 10 desigMle the lW as IIJ~ cbampions in tht race of life we could no very well tllpreS$ this thought
l~ t3lt-M 111
I) He ampees wie men die Ihe fools and thc ~ellseless perhh al together and leave their wcahh to
others
12) And yet they think that
their houscs are forever lheir
dwelling-place5 from genetation 10
for they nayc proshyclaimed their names
the land
13) Bul man with all his honor will not outlast ahe rught if he is
like the beasls that fall silent
~nltl l1~m I ~i~ ) ( 11 4 ~ ~
~lN lln i~ol iiT~ti~~ bullbull 1 r t ~
q7~ C~) ci1~ I I)~rTq Olf (12
oQ1Crp~ ~~111 1117 ~f~ r1rnti ~
~9+ r~~ 1~ C1~ 113
1middotP ll19lJilil
V 11 12 m lin 1 ll~ N)) Sec Comm to Gen 45 17 Indeed hj~ man dreall~ of Hvil1g on hue helmi even ilfter his death He can see that neither wisdom nor folly Cfm ~afrguafd a m0l13] ir01U deal Be ha~ ~een amp pmof that all men mllst die one day amI l~~e their wealth 10 others Am yet he and those of like mind ~tm bdlele that even
they rna) have 1t1 die lind lillVe thdr ridis behhid for oth~rs to enjoy their htlH~~ rH~ foremiddotel think thal their walth and the IlOms which Ill) 11m built and estbHsfled but whkh 1I~ a nlilter of (at had been given them by God only as om1lWl) fm temporary sojr)UrIl would sene to perpewale their names ami thdr fame to fKl$eriy forevcrmore m1llK om1lVl IIY tlJ li lS lIsed to denOlt~ prochimifl~ II name aloud parlicularly as ill p1ll lWl InV H~re too Ihe meming ls For hliVf 111CY not spre~d their lames far and wide ()VH the earlh Th-y al known houghoHi thc world a$ Ihe wealthy the great ard lhe mighty and therefore they think tlial as $uch their namlts should live on foreve
V 13 1)1 tltX Bnl man with all he outwrmi ll~pplrg~ 1f glory )no hOl1or and with aU the p(w~r grealness and riches that he may have acquired in hi$ lifelime win never oullt the night of death if wllh an his weahh he has nO( been better thal the dumb animal Ii he ha3 not fally lived bu merel) emted H~e all animal whkh jives only for thc PUf$ui 3nd enjnymelll f its ONl1 pl~a~lre rqmJduce and then dies and falls ~ienl lh~ll h~ has no claim whllever 10 immortalilY The liteml meaning or ~lnl i~ In be made 8imihu 111laquo1 h the animal thal die~ disintigrati3 and o~ing its sep3fHe identity il is ahsrbed Imo the surmuoding elemenl8 See Comlllenlary to Gen l 26 Elt)d 15 16 A me spent In unmitigated
r
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
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_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
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I
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(
jj
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i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
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l I C-) Irf Ur 1
I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
I s f( ~ N I~ middot1 -is h pVl
Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
I I
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j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
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D
D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
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u tjl - ~ -=if
bull ~ ~
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0 5
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D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
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j u
Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
l 3
l 1 1 amp ~tl-I -
I f
~
PLATE x
-lt
3f ~U rgt I llll
i 9) EVelJ h)ngiJ during hi~ rr1 rl)J ~~npl ~ 1Uf~ (ln~ bull l Hfelim h~ hlesse~ himself saying They will praigte YOll becalse yuu I~ NM-~
tY J r- have done wdl flt)f yoursdf
20) BII if you come to tht~ y WiW ~1v Ntlrl (~gtO- 47 - J ~ TgcnenHion of his fathers they
)~~Nl ~b MY) shaH not see light for ill eternity J
21) Wil al his hOl1or mall ~t~~ 1~ N71 1K~~ 01~ (2tif he doe5 nOI ltJl lmight is like lhe beasts (hll fall 5ilent r1jj~
PSALM L
1) A Psalm of AsnplL God gtcrmN ~~
~N l1o~h i~~ (1 ( h1 ~ JGod Ihe LJrd has jJokcn whell -~-
~ bchnld anoher prson (IlJying gnatcr wealth ltlIld bctt~r rmtum~ thun YOIl do do 11m klf tbl Yll hlVC forfeiled any of 1( trI( values of your lir illlply (n YPlr IN I Iilunbl a~ clllHd tq his Rememher llt Wlllt~ll he dies he em lak~ nOIl~ lf hi- Wtdth and hi spkmJ)f will him
V 11) 1~~ lm l Dlirillg hj~ IJkimlt iii 1tHC he wicked rlal)
may pai~ bimdf mo believe lht Illl wm pay trHmtc it him bm~c Ill klWW how 10 cnjoy hh IiI Hld hnn$ he WIS nnlr ftlkh (10lt11 o deny hilllSdf lIlyhing for lhe sallt f he welfare of hi fdlow men
1~middotil11 Thi~ is thc fmm which he U~$ n ldJrcso hi soul and 10 bks himitlf
V 2) ~l Jit flu if Y(HJ sluJ) l~e falc of his fathers whn hltlvC foH)wed Ihe sme wy of lik as he dlt)c now ami who haw tanth( him thi creti tll qotbm (Vefsc 14) ym will lind thal fICf it hid 1$1o of liit brighhIlCd hy what loo~ lih In) iIcy hin all pa1 -gt11 into a long night of kgtnh vh~n dhY h~IU gt1 no light loi llH (middothtB~ty t 19 ~nnt~ t~w is in S(OIC ~bo fOf lhlir Jecendant who alb in th) llne pc1th ltlwJ whose wlh antj spkndor you wotdd mcl
21 m 011 1l K- if w i stnpw( by IfK glillcE of olltwltlrJ phteh ~~nd dlhS nnt pneLth thfoHG~h to iht- )HOpr Hnd1rLmdnlg of if 1)1 ~3 t V ~r $lt IJ)
PSALM L
V I Itim 42~4ilt Ihc SOl1is 01 tl Som of K~~h wre primarily devoted tn tbe nHionship of hrael to the other nltions Psalm
~~~12ll rgt tl ~ ~ ll f
iraquo BHI God will rltdcln HI) i~ l~9t71~ O~~~~ (16 Plll frtlm tlie power of lh(~ gmv 17P ~~PR ~ 1~~hy taking m( to Hitmelf [Sdah]shy
17) Therefore be not afraid ) W~ i~Jll ~i~tl~t (l1 ~ A ) l f
when one WH)e5 rich when the 1tli 1tf 1~1 splendor of hiS house is increased
nD For when 1m dies he shall W~ ~)i 1 ifll)l tot (18t r ~
carry with him his spknmiddot 111 111ll~ i~ ~ Jt~ t lt ~
dor shall not follow him
by I We filhel think that 0) nf(l~ () the l1W and 111 mentioncd at the beginning of VCts 15 The wicked sucumh to the powrr of the ll1I and of m~ But tho~e who h~c tktll a slrligh( path through lik without vitfm (() the gb h~~t were set for dlem by their C(~11)r because thr~ Mll (11W shali nverrom( both dClth ami Ihe graye ~ mkd they havc are~dy OVllrC()n~ them by virtue of the lile5 they have led 1v) Death (0 he wicked is the night of lifcmiddots day while klr he 00 it symboi7es lht dawn of a new morning Ol)tl 11 the symbol of lht which is firm and llndmngcabk is mtl hn W p(gttnr) 111lt1 spjrit of man which is nol (kfnrr$(~d to d~G~y -1~J) ~n the lleE fr~nnf rr)fIH~ j(o ollt1asf~ s(nlt~th~ng a
ill 1111 ~lt O~1 lit)1) hHiah 6522) Henr~ the lhough nlOvryrd by V~rsC ji h 1 follows Whik llle others If (jrltHIIfd 10 fan vktim O deth nd 10 lhe grave thosc who have livcd without kvJn1ng from hc path of lIy ~haH haw orrcome bntl [kalh and the grave Fm (hmiddotm lheir physshyic~ demise merely marks thc dawn of nlW day arc deslinrd to live
Ihc grC Sf) that it ~wll lOI be a pltermltnl dwelling place fol thrm ~gt gtrIl h bntamlnt ) ~T mlt1 I believe thai I hwe heard (hi intctlwcatiun nr gt ~m fwm my ~hlt1r lbbi 13emays )l 01$1 ii ll1l I)l 1t il me~seIWI Our per(gtality l~t ~n plftltk of (n1 immortality oply if it ief lIS 111 the mescllgrr of 1 Higher lkil an lflslmmcnt ~lt down to emh by God ifgt order to do Hi~ wil lhcre 1t is immah~rbl (0 Ul( 1( )n culh wht positior llnd what material f()w(r~ Hmi possc~sion5 hi~ HeHvenly Dispatcher assigns to him for the fuHillmrnt l 11I~ (ask in tIm world Ukcwblt h~ leave the dlttermlnatiol1 of hs $ltiI position pGwtr Hntl wcalh to Him Who sent hirJ1 on hi~ earthly tlrLwd Hi sok wncem is hiS luyally in discharging lIn Iltuk which he h(s hen 3Signed il1lW r~Ir) 111 OtiW 11 )1
V 16 j) lly I CL ~l InX 11 l (Gen 524)
V n 18 m 1lt111 x See Versl~ 6 The foregoiflg has karly show) us what tilt real value and goal of life 1$ Therefore when you
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
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_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
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i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
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I
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r J Df ( e I f f i
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f tlt
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Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
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pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
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i I ~ iii
D
D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
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u tjl - ~ -=if
bull ~ ~
d
0 5
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bull ~
E -c
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D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
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Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
l 3
l 1 1 amp ~tl-I -
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~
PLATE x
-lt
180 180 PSALMS 48-49 ftz4ttn1llt1) L
ttUsS count ils towers lA Give heed to its walls raise its palaces in
order thl1t you may tell 11 later generation 15 For this is God our
God forever and ever He slwH lead us as in yollth
49 I For the condncwr by the sons of Knrah a song 2 Hear Ihis all
you peoples hearken all You inhabitants of the earth 3 Both
exllltmiddotmiddot-All the other cities i~f JUdah 15 as in ynuthmiddot-Ikb l1Bl-7 as are m daughters fa Ziol1 as (Num a man who leads his young son 3242) awl he captured Kenmh slowly Menachem (p 33 intashyand its daughtas middotmiddotmiddot IRashil preted it as an fxpnuion ofeternity
for the sake of Your judgments and 10 is its inwrpreatitm gt1ill lead -That You perform jlulgm(~nt upon us 10 elernity middotmiddotmiddot[Rashfl the l1atiJi-IRashil
- 13 Encompass Zi(ln~-You who 49-() are building it-RashiJ Redak 2 Hear this aU you peoples-shyexplains that the Psalmist addresses Because this psalm is based on the lllllions sayillg 10 them Go people who rely on (heir ridu~s 11lt around Jemsakm and eocompa it says aU you peoples for they all see the beauty of iti architecture and require adnumilion middotmiddotmiddot[Rashil count tlH~ towers in the wall around it earfh~~Fkb ~l1o That Itermj is
countmiddotmiddotmiddot Heh a tm expressiNI (used to describe1Ihe anh because counting You slwuld know how it is oM and ru$~)1 (iTJtti rodile in
many towers il requires-[Rashi] Old French rust rouille in modem 14 to its waUsmiddot-Heb nl11 to French Bw OUY Sages explained
its walls as (Lum 28) ra~part thaI it is because of the wease (lJ1) ami wall -Haslil (rt17~f) which frequents the dry land
raise its pabHesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeh m~~ but is not found in Ihe SW for the Raise its palaces as (Dent 3 17) labbis laught (flu 127a) Whmshybeneath tu~ rapids of the devation ever is on the dry land is found in (i1~9l~) which is transiaed ItD~) the sea exupl rhe wease -middotfRashi] he high placemiddot [Rashi from Mid 3 noth the snns or adilmH~ Ps 495 Redak renders See how The sons of Abraham who was high its palaces are they look like lI called Josh 14 15 the greatesthigh mOIiSleaiu mil (tJ1I$n) among file gimlls the
in order that ynu may tellmiddot-its JOlS ofshmuel and the HUH of height and its beauly I() tile Keturahmiddotmiddotmiddot fRashi from Mid Ps generafioll lfter you~IRashi 4921 From idirirash Psalms it
1l1lln tnlJHl cnn
lW MI)Q 1))C I bull J iinIO~t ilrti i i1~O iiroto ~0~11 P~11 f f ~ (01 l r T ~
lle lli)n~ )llor ~yoDl l( i~D 1l~~7 t~D~lr~l~ ~~~~
appears Ihat the sons of Ahnlham includes Ihe sons of Ishmael and arc exclusively tile kwish people Keturah only by Ih(~ addilion of Ih(~ lilt descendaiJs of Isaac alld Jacob apparently superfluous word 0 heirs 10 Ahralmms Jegacy Themiddot verse Huber suggest that RilShi re emendmiddot
I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
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in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
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nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
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rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
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132 1953 pp 15-25
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Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
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Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
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PLATE x
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I
HIt PSALMS 49
the sons of adam and the sons of ish together rich and pOOL
4 My mouth shall speak wisdoms and the thoughts of my heart
are understanding 5 I will bend my ear to a parable with a will solve rny riddle 6 Why should I fear in days of misfortune
The iniquity of my heels surrounds roe 7 Those who relv on
their possessions
ed 10 express thai meaning ParshysJumdatha however [lllnts out that lalkut Shimoni contains this same quote from Midmsh Psalm
and the sons of ish~rhe sons Noah wlu~ was called (Gen 69)
U l righTeous man (PH I~) IRashi from Mid [s ihilLl nlrgw1l~~ paraphmses Both the sons of Adam c~ (the first mao) and he sons of Jacob togelner the innocent and the guilly Redok and Elm Ezra render Both Ihe sons of base mcn and the sons or esteemed men Redak quotes Judges 714 where Gideon is described as the man (~) of Israel meaning the great and prominent of IsraeL
together rich and I)OOrmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotAs mentloned ahove Targum renders lhe innocent aml the guilty or sinful This is similar to Ibn Ezras render lng men rich in virtnes and men poor in virtnes Redak explains Bolte the rich and the poor should listen to the wisdom I am ahom to impart
4 ~md the tbougMs of my beart lue undershHldingmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot-The tumglHs 0 my heart are undermiddot standingmiddot-middot[Rashi] Rashi explains thin the wnrd nun menns thOllghls lmd he ili~II Ihe ~oHl Ill In ildkHI~
that this i~ a suhj1xt ami 11 predicme I Redak explains My heart will utter the wlulom and llnderstanding on which it meditates
5 I will bend my ear to a Jlllr~lble-l( the words of which is caNed (l Sam 24 13) the (Hlyable of the Ancient One IRl1shi from Mid Ps 4931 The parable is in verse 15 Like sheep Ehey ate destined 10 lhe gmlti~ and Ehey wilt no see light He says I wi bend my car meaning tlla he is lOt speaking only to others but is admonishing himself as wcl shy[Mtmdath Davidl
I will solve--lhis my riddle for you with a lyre And this is the riddle Why mlW I fear in days
on the day of liu visitation for iniquity lkcause thl~ iniquity of my heels surrounds me The iniquities thm l tread Wilh my heels (hat 1 treat lightly thM 1 view as minor sills--they condemn me ill illd~mtIt and surdy th 11((~thy
IRmili fmm Mill Jismhunul WCII
11 INote that all manuscripts and t))lriy edillons read and surely the
p(ilpk~l 6 Vhy ~llOlljd I f(~lU ill lays 01
tn~ OiUI ~t
Wl tl~ fZ~~~rmiddotc~ C1~ ~~~ ~7 l1~t n1~~ 11 ~ 11~~1 riripoundJN jr~ ttmiddot~ 1~N n1Jlln - l ~ ~ 1 f 1 JV - i ~ I
misfortullemiddotmiddotmiddotWhy should I fear and he concerned about the days of evil ie the days of my sojourn in this world Why should 1 worry ahout wcahh ami possessio))s in Ihts world or if I wony ~bOBt til( good (If this world the iniquliy of my heels will surround me-l will be gUilty of the sin of seeking the good of this wold INdakl
The iniquit of my beelsmiddotmiddotmiddotAt the end of my deeds my iniquity will befall me If 1 rejoice now I wm be sorry later Since thc heel is the end of the hody the end of anything is referred to as~ the her This may also refer to the world to come the world of reward and punishment which always come at the end of OIlS deeds So even if I ~rljoy the
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
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94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
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i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
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rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
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neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
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Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
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1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
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PLATE x
-lt
182 PSALMS
and boast of their great wealth 8 a brother cannot redeem a
mall he cannot give his ransom to God 9 The red~mption of
theh soul will he too dear and unattainahle forever 10 Will
yet forever and not see the Pit 11 For he sees
rnen (1te LOgether a fool and a hoorish man perish and leave over
possessions to others
of this wOIld aU my hfe until Ihc day (If my demh I will not enjoy the world to come after my death It IS like my heels folitrving my deeds since deeds are no longer possible jn that world of reward and punishment and there I will be calkd to account for my iniquity for enjoying ~md pursuing wordiy pleasures Theremiddot
it is nm proper to adopt this CUSlom as do hose who rely on their possessionsmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotRed1k1
7 Those who rely on their pmsessioml-qr what use is their money Is it not so Ihat ~[Rashil
8 A brother--1l1nflOt ransom his brother with money because tile rdllsom of their soul is dearer dll) possession Therefore perora
redemption is forever Ilnattllilshy
abfemiddot--[Rashil Olhers explain COnshyversely A man cannot redeem his brother What will a mans wealth avail him on the day of his death lie will riot be ahle to redeem hi brothr from death even wiili aU his possessions and wealth He cannot give God in Whose hlmds are life and death his ransom-[fbn Redakl
He eanool give his ransom to GodmiddotmiddotmiddotHc C80001 pay hi own ransom In GodmiddotIMezudath Dovidl
9 will be too deHr~haf he VliU
live forever and not see the Pit Mell(Jchem (p IS8) aswdaled il as an expression (If withholding as (hu 13 12) I wiil make mortal man deorer (P1e) than fine gold (Lev 2621) will go with Ihem Willi wrath of withdrawal (1e ie the ransom of their soul gttmiddotW withheid-Rashil
W wm he live yet forever middot Even if he lives iong will he live forever and not see the Pit Will he never see the gnIVeJ Since he is going to die of what usc is his trust in w(1hhmiddot [Mwuiath Davidl
11 For he sees ihnt wise men die--and (lre not saved from death So perforce he wearying himself and his brothers mnsom-middotRashil
their possesshms middotlkh 0111 lheir money Death is mentioned ill reference to the wi(~ men because in lhis world Ihey iiil ollly irj the body whereas concerning trw and the boorish mat perishing is
D1)111 t)1l 0 i11i 182
~~~i~Jn~~~~ i-PN ri~ n ilrU~ O~~~ ~j~~ ~1 ~~gtl~Wi ln~ M ~EJ~ CliiN5 1filN t1N it1)1-1 P ~ ~ pWO I bull ( 1- yen bull
~~ ~1 ~ ~J~~ C(~3J( C~~J i~1 ~j~ 1middotJR~9 p~ )1 ~ mc tN ~ M1pound) 11ii I ~tl ~tI z i)Opound)~1 - 1 - ~ bull - T ~ bull I
tliltt NI)U~l~ 51o~ MI U1~I CI~n I i1NI I) W ~llt n~ nn nl -- T ltC I I bullbull lt
tl~ry 1 I -N1 $ 05Ti CI~~ ~1nn 1lN~ 11 Nrgt~n l~0t1~r M~ fl ) t iT ~ 1- orU
mentIOned hecal~e both body ltlnd soul perish-[Rashi] The Talmud (Gil 47a) tells us that hc sages were particuhtrly careful not 10 leave behind aoy possessions after their demise Resh Lakish a prominem mnora ITannailic sage] was troubled
Ihe be tim he was dying wilh a smaH measure of saffron still in his possession
12 In their heart their hons(s are forever-Their thoughts are to
themsel~es houses shm will exist Ion~ver-middot[Rashil Despite all that was said in th pnxcding verses on the futility of wCltlhh which docs not avai il (nSmer on his dying day these people believe that their houses will endure forevc1gtmiddot[Mezlldath Davidl Redak renders In the midst
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
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nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
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llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
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C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
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PLATE x
-lt
183 PSALMS 49
12 In their heart their are forever their are
for every generation they by their names on plots
13 But man does not repose in his glory~ he is compared to the
silenced animals 14 This is their way folly is theirs and after
of their houses they me fmcver They and named fhe city his son think hat they will be in thdr hOllses Enoch Antiodws fmil Antioch forever so intent are they on Seleucus huilt Seleuda middotmiddotmiddot[Rashi pursuing worldly pkasures II is as from Mid Ps 89 Redo- explains though they would dwell in these thaI their buildings are so huge and edifices from generation to fortified that lhdf names will spread generaon until their names ure throughout the lands He quotes famous tllrougholll ill the lands ibn others who explain that afttr EznJ explains chat those o whom the die he only remnant of Iheir life will fools bequeath heir houses will tmve be that )Cople will say This was 50middot
these houses in their midst undmiddotmiddot5OS house and they will caH (bestow] their 13 in his glory-Heb e- an
~) names upon these houses for expn~ssion of glory and majesty generations (IS the only memorial -RashiJ [This lppears on~y III the these people will have Both Bomberg and Warsaw e~lilioml i commentalors quote ochers who be is comparoomiddotHch 7~1 an explain l~lP as transposed into y~~ expression of a parable (IIlt) their grave Their grave will be Iheir middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot[RashiJ houses forever This interpretation silenced-Hell ~3p an expresshyfollows 1argum The Rahbis of the simI of silence (lll~~)-RashiJ IThis Talmud (Maed Katan 9b) accepting also apperus only in the Bomberg and that transposition also state that Warsaw editions] But man docs nol while this world is compared to an repose in Ihe grave with the glory
the grave-every persons and wealth that he thought would permanent resting place~is comshy Slay with him Vhen nne pared to a house Midrash Psalms everything is left behind 10 others (493) ilisn explains the word as iT1P This may ul~o he explained 0 mean bot ith he idea IhM the company (If Ilia a person who pnrmcs mundane Korah would remain in their graves pk~asures will not repose wilh his forever not meriling the world 10 snnl which is his [~JOly- Ingttcad he eom(~ will die like lIe siknccd animals
they cal by their name5middotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfheir and his soul will perish~Redak] houses that they bi~ild so that fhey llm Ezra rcmiers mp as (It and ill have jj memuriul i fklL 4 17) quotes olhers who nllder likened
bull U~iP OH ~~~P ~v~ r~r~ ~f ~ C~p PI) amgt rtf 6gt) il m~l (l) (113 gtn I~)) gt0 ~~j )gt1) IlIn~ ()Pll orl)nK ~Sgt on OIl~ljl bull illi1gt j)On3 Cll)1J cnlll lll )ll) Illgt nlgtll 1)11131 iIVI) )Jltl~ ~lgt gt1) p ~ 11) Jill) )~ m I) n~jl lie)gt Oil ))fI~ ntl n+tgt~o nil o))ngt P~~ llxm) I Ol M 11 1l)1) hI) Ill)ll
J4 folly~--Ilch nr~ m(l(lness- And those who come after them will (Hashil This is the way of the of them and leU wah their wicked because they aH~ fnolish and mouth what happened la the earlier do not know to do the right ones-middotIRashiJ IKedok wm teUmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb ~11 an expresshy
and after tbem tbey wm tell sion of narration reteyront in Old with their month forever French fihev will tell mconterom in
184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
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rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
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132 1953 pp 15-25
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~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
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PLATE x
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184 PSALMS 49
they win teU their forever 1 Like sheep are destined to the grave death will devour them Hod the upright wilt rule over them in the morning and their fonn will rmtlasl the
gnlVc as his dwelling place 16 But God will redeem my the power the grave
modem French L But our Sages EherndvcsO (1lt like sheep (Shab 32b) explained This is the de~U~ will devour themmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHcb way of the raquo-icked they perimiddoth ill the t~1 The angel death wifi devour ena tml e~ is fheirs The) have fat them Do not wonder tlbOUJ his on their flalks (llP~~) which expression ofeating becaust we find covers their kidm~ys mid they Iheir elsewhere (Joh 1813) the kidneysl do flot advise them to of demll shall devour his branCllt repent of their evil Perhaps )011 will Another explanation III isl all say that it is forg~tfulru~ss that expression of hrei1king as (Jee hove forgort~n chal ultimately (hey 1512) Will itOfl break (r2n)
v-) will die Scripture therefore slates middotmiddotmiddot-Rashi) and their end thty tell with their and the updght will rille over mouth u~ the day their ena is them in the mnrningmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotOn Iu
colsramly in their mouth (lIId they of tl( redemption when the mortling are Iwl afraid of il-fRashi] f~f Israel shines they will rltle over
15 Like slHelamp they nft desshy shem as il li stated (Malachi 321) tined to the grave-middotmiddotmiddotmiddotLike sheep that And You shalf crush the wicked are gmhered to lhe shed so are the) etc-Rashi fmm Mia Ps 4931 into the gmwmiddotmiddotmiddotIRashtl and their form will outlast the
they ure destinedmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotHeb Ul1 grave-The form of the wicked wW The tal is punctuated with d outlast (he grave Geinnom viIl
if place lne second but they will mu im middotmiddot[ltashi from tall fillld into the midst of the Gen Rabbah Mid Ps foundations (OU~) of the nether as his dwetlillg plaltemiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotFrom world (0 the lowest fevel Likewise being a dwelling for [hutl
(above 739) They have set And the Holy One be He tfaeir mmuh dJainsl hemien is aha takes the Slln out (~f its rase lnd it WI expressioPl of fliUlJltiofls they wiilllllnl tlwm fIt lIS il i Iated set their mouth in he(lv(~Il their (Mal 3 19 N(d ~b) Our Sages slandermiddot[RasJiij Redlk renders however explained 11 ~~~ to mean ihcy were placed Of they placed tilat becm~se they smlcied out their th~msdvcs lIm Hzra cxphl1ns 11ley twul on lliJ dwding piaa they
OUil1 ~il C~il1 184
~1V m t 94~iii ItII~~ ~l lJIiII ~lIIIIoRtI K1J10 ni K~R ( I~~ i~ - ~lt~ -l~ ~)
IcentPJ n ~)~11 J O~~ Cl ~~ tUJi no lnt KJf ll(IJ~( 1JPl T l a ( lmiddot- r N
0)1)1 1 Ii) qcn)~ llb 1~ 11 (D)) ph~ cl)~ _ r~~ It11ll n y u lrill Iil~ (1 3~~) hI bn ~ll 11)) illlJ OllC~gt o~ lOIll ~Iraquo ell 1 ) Il) 11 ill) pllll ~~rl Ii)l C 1ltI 1gt ~tb 011) It 11- C1~C Jlt1l1raquoO 1gt )It rtl ~ ~nh) )111gt _~~ C1l3~f) o~ NI 63 ~lgt iP uitl OP)) bull gttIt f1) Iraquo) Il~o b 631 I)~ ~j1tlC III ~ ~rl Jl~~jj ~ Ill)ll) ~JI ~~Ii~l )Ct 3il~~~ 6)1
011 Temple (Mid Ps soul so tho I da not go to the srave 49])~rRashiJ because Ill will lOke me in my
16 Hut God will redeem my I~fetime 10 go in Elis ways~-middotRafhil Mill I Hill I who haw hent my ear When fhe prophet saw the destrucshy10 the pamMe--God will redeem my lion of tI~ souls of the wicked in
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
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_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
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(
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i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
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I
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)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
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Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
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pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
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i I ~ iii
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D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
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bull ~ ~
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0 5
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D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
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Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
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PLATE x
-lt
186 PSALMS 49middotmiddotmiddot50
but he does not undersland is compared to the animals
50 L A song of Asaph God God the lAxd spoke and caned to
earth from the rising of the sun until its setting 2 From nnery of beauty God appeared 3 Our God shaH come and nol
silent fire shall devour before Him and around Him it storlns
furiollsly 4 lie shall call to the heavens ahove and to ahe earth
Instead like other animals he adopt~ the ways of the body Therefore when be dies he will be compared to an animal and his soul win perish in deathlcaving him no bfle~Redtlkl
0 -~ 50
1 Asapb-This could be Abiasaph a son of Komh or it may
1 be onc of the Levite singers shyI Tosamll lOB B 1531
I
od (~t)d tbe JonJmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotrhis WlrlS
Ii lalion foHows Mifchmt Shai who I many Rabbinic sources stating
that all three words are names of God [See Comm Digest to Josh
I 2222J Rashi however renders (00 of gods is the Lord~l shall call L (the God of gods-YflWl1 is llisI nmne) Redak explains Judge of the
i j judges Powerful of the powerful is ~ the Lord Who ClIiSiS forever Ibn
Ezm explains Ihlt the TcenlgrammmOI denotes Gods immutabil
spoke and caned o tbe eaa-thmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot The entirt~ earth bur lie (lppeared from Zion whidl is the adornment 0 beau(r ~l) is a n01m parement in Old French adornment He
[Asap prophesies concnning the future redemptitm-[RashiJ It is as though Hc leiS out His voice from thcre [to announcd that aU the earth3 inhabilartls should come to jerusalcm~Red1kl
3 Our (~od shall come ami Blot be sHentmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotany anger cOCaning the spilt blood of liis savafltJ [Rashij
around mmmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotLe In the site of Ws Temple and His lwdishying place-[Redakl
it storms fursouslymiddotrhe femimiddot nine form of he verb denotes that the subject is n~ the land All its
babiwnlS will perish with a storm wind-middotmiddotIRedaki
4 He shaH caU to lhe heavensmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddot to vists upon the celeslial princes 0 lhe peopesmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotfRashil
and to the earlhmiddotmiddotmiddotmiddotto visit upon Ihe kilgS of tlt- eanh Uashil
to avenge His p~~pkmiddotmiddot- leb lry to avenge the vengeana clf lIis IUOIh~ is ncllt Tor tlw Lord shall jwlge lis people and He shall av(~nge the blood of His serwmts middotmiddotmiddotfRashil
186tmm lt)ll 011
Nq~ C1~Q r11lK~ iOJ nOl3 ruOJ 1 N tl ~ It tl i ~ II t bull bull - - bullbull I (gt T bull
~~Q~ou~ II ~9~ n~ Or1N w tION iOir~ t i~P8 9Q~fl ~~ Il T i -IN
NitlJ ~~tt ~C -n~o mlll j~C Cl)t~ l~ tgtk l Ojn Ol) C tI r Op 1 tIVf it (1)1) )TIl1) (Iraquo l ~ 1l)~Jgt ltll) (~ -))~ ti 01n ~ -rpound 71 tnll Ir p nrflt Ol)lC t)~~1gt p- ~[
bull I t )1) r1~ C~ o)uC he iI~l1 13 ~ll r )~Plt1l l)~ Tim 01))1 l11t 01ltgt l1~)l (fl)l l~I)O P17l ll ~~lb 1) ll)~1gt l~ h lJ) pl hp ~ 01)1 ogt~h u f tl~ 0) 000 no ltl~ poundn1)) 1lt1 illl t1l nllpn O-Ji~ pf~ Cll fIl1 bull riN ~ 1~ 6)[ omgt() l)1l ()e) I bull I~ ~n lfr r~1 ~ ~ -I) l~~ to- 1~ n ~ji llt~ft ) (1) 1) l~~ ()) vmiddotnt Ii))l ~P I n t~l~ 1gt1) ~~I Ctlvl bop Olllll) O3I h~middott 1~lO () Ill))) lwllil rgt)mm pmi OJgt)gt lltJC 11jl 0lt1)gt I ~~fl ltl (l) ~ OC~ 711 Ill) )mlll)rJ II ~5nb) ~I bull cot l1tt Nli~ (~) ~)l)O Pl1 1gt1 rj Illl tll~P pllh bull J~l amp h 01)) ~I UIl 1WO 11 i1YfD I~r c 0raquo111 I~l~~j r) tc~middot - tnX~~1 1111lm~ gt~~i () )0gt lIIIm ~l)Zgt b Ill Iill 1lIl~I (tIraquo)
gt I~) 1) y S6flt1 gtlinllllll) t h ~ )J raquo)lttgt ()il)l ~l) C~ c~)n ~~ )~t ~e ~M ~ l ngtlI3 pen ~II11 pm )tI Uj ~ ~)gt ItSIltI
r~r )t~ t r-v~ )11 ~ tiE Igt~O Ie M 1 I ~Rl J Il1O gtn lI)lhgt 1gt11 fll ~tJC bull ~J) 11 l ~)il1I ~11li l)) 11 hlP) p)~6 bull ~sgt 0) or 1t) ~~~ llh m~~ l11l)6lt ~) ~g
Ih~ ~hlll ~nl Co f he heH vens ~l hove middotmiddotmiddot~lo Ule angels 10 llCcompany Him in His vengeance upon the nations lll mimtion(~d in the prophecy (Joel ltI i I) there til Lord shu I break your mighty men This is in the
manner or (If King$ 1935) laquothat an angel of the l(lrd went out and slew ofthc Assyrian camp-(Redak]
nno to th~ e~lrthmiddotTo the people of 1I) earth thltlllhcy themselves will slay each other because a great
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
_- --J1 ~- -_ --shy ff r
_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
S l~
-shy - -
((I (if~fd --~ lic
I
-lt ~ l
-I-r Ir ~
(
jj
i lt1 ~~t 1
i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
(--- ~
l I C-) Irf Ur 1
I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
I s f( ~ N I~ middot1 -is h pVl
Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
I I
i Lof (If f
~
~
~
j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
~ (gt1 ( d - ft )f fr-e) 115 f n
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i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
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1
~r
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yj
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rtf I I
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r I i
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shy
t f
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i I ~ iii
D
D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
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u tjl - ~ -=if
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D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
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Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
l 3
l 1 1 amp ~tl-I -
I f
~
PLATE x
-lt
49 PSALI1 XLIX
1 For the Leader a Psalm of the sons of Korah
2 Hear tIus all ye peoples Give ear all ye inhabitants of the
world
8 Both low and high Rich and poor together
4 vy mouth shall speak wisdom And the meditation of my heart
shall be understanding
5 I will incline mine ear to a parable I will open my dark saying upon
tbe harp
DEATH THE LEVELLER
THE li1X beween this Psam and the group of three that precedes it is that they are alike addressed to all ye peoples The latter called upon all mankind to acknowledge Gods Kingsbip this deals with a problem which exercises the mind of aU thinking persons and should be read in connection with LXXI II Vealth is unequally distributed soene possess more than their due share and derive from it power and authority over the poor This seemingly unfair arrangemem must be due to Divine ordering so how is it to be expl~ned The solution which the Psalmist puts fonvard is that the might of wealth is limited It cannot Ward ofT the oncoming of death and at its advent the rich are reduced to the same level as the poor If that truism were borne in mind wealth would not breed insolent pride and in that thought the poor in their disability may hope for the ultimate triumph of right The Psa1rn has been appointed for recital in a Jewish house of mourning (PB p 322)
2~5 EXHORTATORY INTRODCCTlON
2 all ye peoples A question of universal interest and application is to be dis cussed world Hebrew cheled as in xvii 14 mans tempD1fl1Y place of abode The choice of the word prepares the reader for the theme of the Psalm
3 both low and high Hebrew tboth ye sons of adam (ie men generally) and ye sons of ish (ie mel of higher station see on iv 3) The message is for all people and also for ali sections of human societyt especially the weliwto~do
rich and poor The rich were to de~ve a sobering and the poor a comfortmg lesson from what they are about to hear
4 wisdom understanding Both words are in the plural to denote profound wis~ dom and deep insight Wisdom in the Bible corresponds to moral philosophy understanding is enlightenment upon a perplexit) of human experience
5 inclpoundne mine ear To receive instruc~ tion from God which comes in the fom of a parable ie an oracular utterance k poetical style (cf Num xxiii 7)
dark saying The Hebrew is used to a riddle and also ru here for a proshynouncement upon an enigmatic problem
upon the harp To the accompanimerr of string music
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
_- --J1 ~- -_ --shy ff r
_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
S l~
-shy - -
((I (if~fd --~ lic
I
-lt ~ l
-I-r Ir ~
(
jj
i lt1 ~~t 1
i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
(--- ~
l I C-) Irf Ur 1
I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
I s f( ~ N I~ middot1 -is h pVl
Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
I I
i Lof (If f
~
~
~
j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
~ (gt1 ( d - ft )f fr-e) 115 f n
~----------~ )S r IgtK ~~~ --
i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
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1
~r
~__[~ ~ ~JD I
yj
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epound- _--d -shy
f~ ) ~
- iy 7
fQr
Itfle
rtf I I
v
ti
+ -
j t J -------shy
C ~j
l l l
l
- I J 0 1l i) ) jN
I
)( ltgt IeII I
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r I i
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)
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pici
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shy
t f
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l gt (lYCmiddot
~
f j j-lt f - J )
j I
til J I J II r D 0 D 9~ l ~ ~ ~ ~
i I ~ iii
D
D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
~ ~ = u
u tjl - ~ -=if
bull ~ ~
d
0 5
~ I f
bull ~
E -c
~ ~ ~
D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
~ ti
j u
Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
l 3
l 1 1 amp ~tl-I -
I f
~
PLATE x
-lt
411 12 THE
12 Theil inward thought i~ that tl-ir houses shall enlltimw for eve
And thdr dwelling-pbces to all gem~mtion~
They call their lands aft(r tlwir own names
13 But man abideth not in honour He is like the hen~t3 that perish
14 This IS the way of them that are foolish
And of those who after them approve their sayings Selah
is Like sheep tht~y ale appolllkd for the tHtlu~r-wltHld
DeMh shall be thdr sH~phcrd And tht~ upright shiill ha~e
dominion over tb~m in the morning
And their foml llhall be fnr the nether-world to wellr awny
That there be no hnbitation for it
16 But God will redeem my arm fwm the power of the nethershy
world For He shall receive me Seuh
A 0middot 12 their invord thought is The only
ronsolatioll which the rich can haye is that hl~ir propt~rty remains in the POBs(ssion of thdr desn~nrlants mrl their WUHe is perpetuated by being Uehed to their estates
13 but man abideth not in honour Better so mall in (his) splendour abideth noL All that he prided himself onhisaccumu~ lation of lund and other form5 (Ifproperty avails him nothing PhYlicaHy his end is the Rilrne as that of cattle
14-21 VANITY OF llUnr TllH1MIH OF THB UPRIGHT
14 foolM~ Foolishly sdf-confident
appmve their sayings Ilt find ph~asme in their mouth Rdopt the 8ame attitude I$ their predecessors They too will
PSALMS
C7~) I~~yh= O~i) 12
i- -~1t -~tM~ 1~ LoJ6 ~RfII ouJ
~OI -
~ -
~t ~
I(~~~~ ~
~
Ii OCO Il~ i~ ~ P 1iI1 ~ ~ Ii i~-S i2 t1~ 13
ir-4j Mi~i~ i~HVr~J i~t O~ O~i4 ~1 Ii
loY c tJ~
00 i~ Oi~~~ IO1~iiKl tp~ fi1~ ~rii~ t~~iV 1~~~ 15
ih1tl~~W~Ofi~I bull 1 jn~ ~iNW ti~~b lJi~
L o~- ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~bUlmiddotIc 16 I iltf _lti I iIo l I h ~ ~ ~laquo ) ~
bull-tO ~~n~~ ~~ t I ~ t-i- ~
~p 011S1 v 1G
the upright Vho had been the Yjrtjn~ of their iawlessness then tliumpb over tlwm
ill the m()lIIiYlp It jg doubtful whther this meM1S tl~c morning of lesurrrtif3n after the night of death PlObably the word is used mrt~ph)draJly of the lif~ht of ddivgtranre ofkr the darlnw~~ of Bufferillg (see Oil xlvi 6)
their form The perishable body this will crumble tr) dust and iinally have no need fOI habitation
16 rfdeem my soul l10dc1l commentashytors do not lee in the verse an allusion to the doctrine of immJrtnlity and the Srlme
view is taken bv lbshi The l~almist ~l1presses his (olfidence that unlike the foolillh who rely upon tlwix weillth to save them from the perils which embngrr life he wHl be plotected by God fr(gtll ameet with a like fate premature deilth Accordinrly the vrr~e
15 like theep Com~~ponding to like the gives the IInswcr to the question ill beasts 1n verse I) Their wealth cannot verse 6 rdllrljore should J fear in the save them from descent to Sheol where days of t1il He h33 no remlOn to ftar death takee conttol of them being under Divine protection
154
THE
j VIH1 fo~c 1Orl I fear in the dllY~ of nd
whcil tllf iniquity of my wp~ plantfIS compasscth ml~ ~bOllt
7 Of them tlmt trlEt ill t1eir wllld And ]n~t tlwlllsclve in the rnwlishy
tude (f their riches
g No nlJn can by uny Hwans rnieem his hrothe
Nor give to CJd a ransom [Dr himmiddot
It For tw costly is the redemptin of thi r Hl
And tllllst ]e Id done for t(r middot
1n That he should still live alway That he should Ilot see the pit
1 i FOf 1gt (dh Ilt 1 Hll dilt Ill( fnol rmil the IJHltish toshy
gdhcr perish J~ nd leave their H~lth to othrs
6-l3 WEALTH ~Nn DEHH
G day~ ff (emiddotfil jin of ~ulkring from the injnslill of th I ic dlO u~~d llir priviJtgcd positioll for thltir OWIl Buvan tl~e by exploiting the poor my middotIif(mt(middot~ V)lthy lli~hh()llrS who Jprivc Im lt)f hj~ riilt3
7 trust ill their wollh A~ the rluhteltgtus have faith in God for their uPIort ltgt0
the rich put theil trust in wealth j1S the nlU~ nf ()h~Jqjn~ qcurtty~
8 rerieem hi~ brother One thing Cflllnot be bOlloht ofT It a price and th~t i~ f(demplion frHI the in)l end vhich COHUI to ill lOlen Not even a brollcr rme to whom the rich man is nttaehrcI by dose kinship or intimate friend~hp un be s3ved from natural death by the power pf lllDney If he Clt1luot do thi~ for l brother how nmch c5~ for himltlclfl raIWJI The P~almist has in mind alld u~cs the language of the law of Exod xxi ]0
9 - (0111) It is Ivolld the means cf a wergtlthy llJnn to olkr ) rJllSmn to ave his friendlI life whtn God had decreed hiB death
lSALttS 1middot9 II
)~ ~t~ti N~N fi~ i1 0 11
t~~O~ ~~Vp i~ tlt~jjl Q~lit~1 1 AY ~ ~
1~t~fl ciWV l1j1~C~ l~T II~
Vh~ Fif) Ff4~H n~ 8I ) j l S
t~~~ O~rtR iPK C~~~ l~~i~ jd~ 9
O~J)t inH 2 J- f
fiij ~pn 10 -fo( )
nnw fix ~~ ~ C) ~
~tW~~ o~~5jj IRKi~ ~~ i i ~jR~ ~i ~olto ~r~
-)- l I ~ 0(
tlt~n O~ijjxt t~1) ~ y t Cf f
and mllst bt hi afoile fot erer It were llsees~ 10 think of fHtlmpling such an il1posqihh~ IIHIgtwdjol Thi vrr~( i parlltheticaI lnd verse lO umtillllrf1 verse 8
l 0 ~N the it Exprrinre degtth a~ in xvi lO
H he utth It must he hioIJS to the wealthy that dltlh comes to all mrn whncvr thdr dlllllllkt or ~1lll~
fi llt11 die vVisdom which iii far superjor to riches d cs Ilot bl illg CKlllptkm frolH (kMh
wrih The velb Sllggcst~ that 1Ii1 tnwe of tlwm is lnst On the other hand wise Yll(11 dif thil life comes to nn end but the dfects of Icir mtiity surV1Vt
lemgtf their ntaltll to gtthers AI death class distinction basl uprgtH mMeri~l possessions at once clt)~e3 I n the hour of man~ d(p~rtu r f1lt)ln the world Ileith~r silvel nur gold lOr jewds auomshyprmy him but only Torah and good works (Aboth)
153
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
_- --J1 ~- -_ --shy ff r
_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
S l~
-shy - -
((I (if~fd --~ lic
I
-lt ~ l
-I-r Ir ~
(
jj
i lt1 ~~t 1
i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
(--- ~
l I C-) Irf Ur 1
I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
I s f( ~ N I~ middot1 -is h pVl
Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
I I
i Lof (If f
~
~
~
j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
~ (gt1 ( d - ft )f fr-e) 115 f n
~----------~ )S r IgtK ~~~ --
i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
__ r j
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l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
l 3
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PLATE x
-lt
THE
11 Be not t~ou afraid when one waxeth rich
When the wealth of his house is increased
18 For when he dieth he shan C3TV
nothing away His weulth shall not desce11d
after him
19 Though while he lied he blessed his -sou
(len will praise thee when thou shalt do wen to thyself
20 It shall go to the generation of his fathers
They sbll n~ver see the light
21 Man that is in honour U11Ce~ stmdeh not
He is like the beasts that perish
from the pozeer t~f the nether-rear] Iit from the hGnd of SleoL L- coming under~ its Sly the incidence de3th
fIe shtzll recepoundte me G)d ~-il1 reSCH~ me from peril The verb 5 the Slie as tlHlt rendered took in XYiii 17
17 ~ be nat thou afraid Hlyi learnt the lesson himself he e1orts Gtrcs to adopt it
iI~olth litglory 113gnmcence which wealth em premiddoticie
18 For the thought cE Job 1 21 Eccles v 14
19 ichile he Hted lit in his life ~laving had his pornon with which he vas sarisned during his liierille
he blessed his soul Comrrambted himself on his prosperity and pover
men uill praise thee Render and (though) men praise thee when thou doest well for thyself The -vorc1s are parenthetical and addressed to this tle of person He not only indulges in self~
P SAL Ivr S 49 21
congrJtu1tl0Il but otherS also praise hlrrl v1In uses ~15 rtdue1tlJl Jiltl0n
to enrich himself
O~ it Shtl~middot go~ T1e SUUJect 1pound soul lD the preceding c-~c~
to the gezeration (~f hL~ fathers gt ~~ ~~ idiorn for ~dyjng like he middotS un) his
tdturs
the~ halI ne1er sef Beer~ V~-0 sh~dl nevt~r see For hn~ ns for tt1~ the dnrkaess of Sheol yi] be e~~e
~1 ~ 4 rcpetitiofl of 4erse r3 0lt~~th the substir~tion of und~~rst(lndt[h not fJr abiderh 1ot and rhe phrase epioyed here strikinglymiddot erzlphaslzes the lornl the Fsalm 1~tlere is nothing sinful in beinz rich and a wellth man rrrlt be as righreous as or bette than a poor man Vhen however he glories only in material prosperity aVd fuils to appreciate W~e value of the soirimal and of the moral virtUes he 6en lacks the undershystanding of life with its God-given purpose and sublirne opporruniries His existence is mere1v animal and he perishes 1ike tl-le best
III 111
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
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~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
l 3
l 1 1 amp ~tl-I -
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~
PLATE x
-lt
JPS
49 For the leader Of the Korahite3 A pWm
t Hear thU aU you peopl~
give ear all inhabitants of me world men of all ntale3 rich and poor alike 5 Sheeplike they head for Shrol
My mouth utters wisdom gtt with Death as their shepherd my 3~ is full of insight The upright shall rule over them at daybreak
~ I will turn my attention to 3 theme 4-and their form shall waste away in Shea
set forth my lesson to the music of a lyre till its nobility be gQne
16 But God will redeem my life from the clutches of She ~ In time of trouble why should I fear for He will take me Sitthe encQmpa3sing evil of those who would
supplant meshy11 Do not be afraid whm a man becomes rich men who truISt in their riches
who glory in their great wealth when his household goods in~ t Ah it4 cannot redeem a man 1$ for when he dies he can take none Qf it along
or pay his ransom to God bia ~ cannQt follow him down the price of life is too high Ii Though he oongratulate$ himself in his lifetime
and so one ceases to be forever pjThey must admit that you did well by YOll1lelr til ShaD he live eternally ~ yet he mwt join the company of his anentors
and never see the grave who will never see daylight again U For one $ee3 that the wise die l Man d()e$ not undentandhonor
that the foolish and ignorant both perish he is like the beasts that pcrUhleaving thcir wealth to othen
11 Their grave t is thcir eternal home the dwellingoplace for all generatiQns of those once famow on earth
lJ Man doe not abide in honor he is like the beau that perish
14 Such is the fate of those who are seif-confideru the end of those pleased with thcir own talk -4i SJoJ
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
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r J Df ( e I f f i
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~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
l 3
l 1 1 amp ~tl-I -
I f
~
PLATE x
-lt
(NA I
XLIX 1 1 TQ the laquoblcet na8ic~Iabullbull L the al 01 Komd a 1)MIilsa t
8ftI tbha aUl ~pl ~t _f aU iahAkMtllllIlw of th ~hQI wurld
( ) bull 80th tb 101fi8 of tn jow alld tM X) 810l1li1 of the bIh lIieh and DIdJ 8d~
mbu c Job mOlith hall apak wist-shydote suad the tn~ntfon of 13ft heartmiddot _U be of ~ndtaftdh$bullbull iii J wUl be~ lht JWI ar U J)$l1IIbht~ J _OJ op-o IIIIIIII with tb4t harll MlI riddle bull ~ fcentmt abmald I feall In the U7Il of 0 -- th hlMaUit of I3ftI OnlilllllCZiII ~~ 1- I or ~ that tnIIR biI th~it walth ud __t th 1IIIIi ot th l$ampdUtude of tbllllir rleb I be any wbe mllllnllla )sblNo amp ana fwootlHr Ifior a88amp he he to Qocl rshy~pUon lmODlt117 fOf blblMif POI tho ~ of tblttlil IIIOld II too eoetl suad tt Is omitted fGJ tillf 10 And boWd h ssW Ibe for filllr lIIot MIII u Jill 11 Foil he ml3 11M that wi ~ dlill that tjrittber Ulill foo nd Use hnltWil ~~ peNhDIS 1illllli1amp to ~ thellf walth UI Ih1ItI in ~t llamp thlat thellt ~ ah to bit ~ their dWttmJ8INsJ~ f~ Uma to lfGl1IIUiim ~ call tbltsIm 11 thell GWllt lItamu III (1111~)
eowa~ 13 Nnerthallillliil maD ill (hlls~ IIJpMOOl ~ampululltttb IM1It I be Ia Int aM __to CthBt~ ptIrIab 14 This llII tMk WSIIf their foU ~ rillt JIOl8t4l1t3l win take f)1lt8tUQ tla thetll ujlltP fkmh Umiddot Llke ~ sr th tnlNlet bl-to the I alJaltar world death iIl teed thtIml ~ but tbe uprilM 18nall bne domilitw IveII thtillm in thai murnlolllt Illltd their form wuutb iIlWII iu lb llIottbel wlfld lLUte way) from tbelr wn dwell h~c U Bgt God wiU lltedHm m BIOU trom th power of lh Dlletheli WOIIid
to haP will tk~ me awa SMata 11 n aot thou dmid whmA sa Man bey eomtb ricb whem tho Iory of lib ~ ill hae~ampIMd 18 Flf wbn he tiltit h een lake cothine Aa his iidolT wiU ngtt dalaquond dul iaim U rM thooh he bJ IdA lSOul I1illlrilllli hila Ut and m~n praia tb~ whilllllli tbolu doeat wen tt8 thfl8ltlf 10 Sh lhan 0 to thII8 nlllmtlolil of bls tllliUwora UQto umil will t~~u nYlIIlf $ft Ub 1 Mn UWlltirb in 11I1P1Itnd()t who ~D-
nta~dth lIlOlt I lib the ta tbaa ~
k 0 ~pound J
To lhe chll~f Muicim A Psalm tor the sons of Qoral Hear this ill th~ peoples give eJf all the inhabitants of the world
horh low and Iligh rich and poor together My mouth shaH pd ltv Isdom Hld i he meditgtllion of my helrt shall be tmdef
I will weHrle my ear w a parable I will open my
riddle to tile lyre Why sh-Juld I fezr in the days of evil when
the iniquity of my persecutors wmpasses me aboot They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches none of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to GOl a ransom for him for the redemption
of their soul is too dear and he leaves it lor ever that he might stm live for ever MId not see the pit When he sees that wise men die that the fOOl and the brutish person perish toshy
gether and leave their wealth to others their inward tholght is I hat I heir houses shall continue for ever and their dwelling
places to all gentalio[J$ they cull their lands after their own names Nevertheless man ahides not in honour he is like the beasts that perish This is their way in their folly and tbeir postedty ihn approve their sayings (Seia) Like sheep they are appointed to Sheol death shall be their shepherd and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning and their fonn shaH -ltlste away in Sheol leavlflg behind their dVI~t1ing Hut GOl) will redeem my soul from the power of Sheo for he hall receIve me (SeliL) Be not thou afraid when
one is made rich when the glory of tji~ house is increased for wh(n he dies he shaH carry nothing way his glory shall not (lcsccnd after him Though while he lives he blesses his soul and though men praic thee when thou does well to thyself iI shall go o lilt genenHion of his fathers they shaH never see light Man thilt is in honour and understands not IS Hke the beasts that perish
6 7
8 9
I 0 ~
11 ~
- 12 ~
]) 13
4 15
j -
16 ll
17 18
19
W 21
~ ~ ~
92
11 [Tlt- U Or1 f TE H 11(1
93 ItUlUM CHAP 48-~
(3rtHgt and eve ~l C1~)] -It willltad us like (hildren mrri ~lttii~ K~iI
ItnMtgt
49 ni$ lJalm U signfoltmi 1M all wlaquoAt )1 mltjJg ilt Ihal ma mlltl Iiiirlt I~ 01) maltriltlf tlltl1irw 18 ltnMrIlt hi piriludlifolIfail 10 reltcg-ru rnJ ppv in
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
_- --J1 ~- -_ --shy ff r
_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
S l~
-shy - -
((I (if~fd --~ lic
I
-lt ~ l
-I-r Ir ~
(
jj
i lt1 ~~t 1
i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
(--- ~
l I C-) Irf Ur 1
I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
I s f( ~ N I~ middot1 -is h pVl
Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
I I
i Lof (If f
~
~
~
j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
~ (gt1 ( d - ft )f fr-e) 115 f n
~----------~ )S r IgtK ~~~ --
i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
__ r j
1
~r
~__[~ ~ ~JD I
yj
~ciNe t)
epound- _--d -shy
f~ ) ~
- iy 7
fQr
Itfle
rtf I I
v
ti
+ -
j t J -------shy
C ~j
l l l
l
- I J 0 1l i) ) jN
I
)( ltgt IeII I
~ e )
r I i
i I
)
e - )
pici
) )
1 t bull j I C J l
shy
t f
I 7f jI I
l gt (lYCmiddot
~
f j j-lt f - J )
j I
til J I J II r D 0 D 9~ l ~ ~ ~ ~
i I ~ iii
D
D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
~ ~ = u
u tjl - ~ -=if
bull ~ ~
d
0 5
~ I f
bull ~
E -c
~ ~ ~
D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
~ ti
j u
Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
Hirsd and mhrrs tr~nsi~tr UH~ win Iad bvnnd death they divide uilt mo_ wonh al mm Om tl~mlalol1 lollo Rashi who nnders it as onlt WOld
Other~ tramlale b adam e of inw degree or on wihoH rejigne and1otIi ish mtfl of high dltltt who (an trac~ thltOil mltelttry tu e of HdnnGu
I Thes__ are lhe im which gt pltno ltomlltbs trivia and ltOmms OUl 01 cltlrellttS~ jshyas fine who b is flot -nnremed i he sleps on snmerhing mall or millllHilams1 Hisch
Those who Ift- islt their wltalrh ~d gory ill then lreat drhe ~hould he in lhr
Ii Whtn tht ~ing5-) wno as~elnbkd 10 atta(K Jeru~~deU1 witnts~cl the Wnnd~f)tH d~(th ~hkh GtHi r~rinned in H~$ rctodHt~c ba~d~ agaiwa their annes they WtH atttourdcd and lmiltd~middotRwik
Ve t~ttf that Your wondnHB dffd~ tnahmiddoth thf pr~be antl eRahed na1ne~ whkh the llnet tlSd 10 d~s(tib( inlJt mighf-Rad~
Or df(~ uf Jvd3k
~-shy
95 TEfHUIM
5 Lib ~htep they are de~tjnerl for the grave
death shall he their shepherd
llnrl (he l~pright hall dmuinate them
at morning
thell form will be wmumed in the fve
iit win nOI remain] their dwellingplace
I(i Hut Gvd wilt redeem my soul
tiOf the gra~p nn the grave
kw He will tlt~ke me ho HinndO Selah
1 fCar nO when a man grows Ifh
when the glory of his hou~e is iIKrea~ed
111 ltj)f when he lies
he $hall carry nothing away
his glury wiil not deSlttlfl alter him
19 BecJsc while he IiHX ht~ bkMed hh smr
isayingl wl prai~e you
hlaquoame you have t1mltc well fmmiddot yound
Sft He will join the generation of his lathers
they shtl not ~~e light for all eternity
~L Marl With lalll hi~ ~pkndOl
50
Ibul without umlerslaBdingS
is Ii~cned to the i1cllet agtlmal~
Ihi Plm IMtMI that r~d dOtl I usi( I~ UP II jil ~f In ltli14f 11 i Ih~ Jim 1MiVI
$laquolt1Yia uhkh tau)~ rrtat to bt
1 A P~almorA~ph
Almighty Gmt Adonoy has spoken
eilAl 49-50
fll1i iKlf7 1K2~ 11j
rq~
I C~W~ tI~ ~i~)
iK~ iKo nli tilt ~V~ ~q1~t nW~ rrJtr1~ 10
1Ko ~11 1i~ mit ~ U1~ 1W+-I NTfI~7~ p
In iliI i1~1~~1
inllt N7~ 11
lWJ nre~ hb~ ~1n~ i1~oN ~11 IJ~ W~t~~ ~
11lt1 lt(~T~~ O~l~ 11-1~ KllQ 1KN~K N7 n~l~~~
R~ Iq~ ~
r~~oN~1 lb1~ niJv~~ W1~
ltlei 0 IUinl m ojJrrIIf(
(]7ui HfJJ $UlirfiMtimg tnt vi GoJ~~ Pmma
~yent$7 ~t)1~ I(
~1 njn C~lJ~ ~
1
bull Man ltfaltd in rhe image of God p~se5es glorious md hi oul s HIed with
Plin~ splemlOl but WhtH he fails to ~Iprdate and utili his pmen~I h i~ llt~end 10 die
deold animj-adrk
ellA 1) middot1 f 1ItltM
1 A man wiil not redeem h15 brother
n~ith(r (an he to Cod his amum~
II he redemption of their ~(]U I is t bull lO
alld it shaH rease ttl b~ fnr~vr
lltgt ShaH h~ lltl live m-er
~h1lH lit ne let the gra
11 Ym he sec~ llial wi~e mell die
(he noh and SlmdCH pcd~h rquallyE
and kaye their wealth tltl -thus
~ Thdr ll1nel1 Ih()Ughts are
that their hOl~es [will l~m) forever
tlteir homel Ii) generation alter geneulinn
(for) they have prndhH~d~ tbdl n~mes
thmuglsmJI Ihe lands
13 flU mall does nut endme ill his $ph~nd)r
he is likrnd to Ihe sienlcd anirnah
14 Thl~ is their way
Ihei Idly rtlH~im with them
and iyct their k~fendams
~kt pt~a5nn in IlltH ~peedl Sdah
t1~ nl~~ iI~~N n~ fj
l~~ OIK7 l~~tb O~~l i~l7 R~l tl
tIiill InlJl nit ~~r~IJ1 nlJ~iJ i1~1 un1i~ P~~1l ill$T It
nlN~ i~ ~Q~ tl~ tl1lJ tl~llJ~~ ~Jl~1 tl~lK l
tli~1l7 I Ifl~ 1~ 7 COlf~t COio~~ ~K1K ni)l~ ~ii r7~~ K~~ tll~l ] l01~ niltJ~ii W1i~ tl~ll i11 r
~~l 71lpIr If
I tnrl11~1 (1l1 ~poundl~ Oi1~ll
~ yof
94
5R Hi~s(h jn~h~x~S And thll~ dJ(~~ n)t giv HJ God his ransom Th~y fiJ to 1j~(
~heif he v ~H tlwic iBn~nHn frlt~rH WtW aHt (-~u) and so nghtt to pay Gf)z1 rhf ~H~ltm o1wshy ~ hfU ~ot thclr flown 1~Jtl
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
_- --J1 ~- -_ --shy ff r
_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
S l~
-shy - -
((I (if~fd --~ lic
I
-lt ~ l
-I-r Ir ~
(
jj
i lt1 ~~t 1
i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
(--- ~
l I C-) Irf Ur 1
I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
I s f( ~ N I~ middot1 -is h pVl
Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
I I
i Lof (If f
~
~
~
j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
~ (gt1 ( d - ft )f fr-e) 115 f n
~----------~ )S r IgtK ~~~ --
i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
__ r j
1
~r
~__[~ ~ ~JD I
yj
~ciNe t)
epound- _--d -shy
f~ ) ~
- iy 7
fQr
Itfle
rtf I I
v
ti
+ -
j t J -------shy
C ~j
l l l
l
- I J 0 1l i) ) jN
I
)( ltgt IeII I
~ e )
r I i
i I
)
e - )
pici
) )
1 t bull j I C J l
shy
t f
I 7f jI I
l gt (lYCmiddot
~
f j j-lt f - J )
j I
til J I J II r D 0 D 9~ l ~ ~ ~ ~
i I ~ iii
D
D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
~ ~ = u
u tjl - ~ -=if
bull ~ ~
d
0 5
~ I f
bull ~
E -c
~ ~ ~
D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
~ ti
j u
Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
R(Yamt lt11lt) gklt) their lt1m lc ~oJl ~hall cea~e w hI middotnHY hav( ltlone nothing 10 insur~ th p~~ Ptu~f~on or fhthshy $ouh~~middotSRlt lintn
~ ~hn ~bt wist d~t) (Y5~y their ~HKHt~ p~s~ 1way hur their ~nub hV) nt fht fu(~ii~h argi
i~lk$ snlr~ fHri5is Hgtmpkdy leaving no ralt~ of body or soul middot Ralhi Rad(j S-m~ 1~n$1(t th~ woro Iltib aflr rampltgtsing the kue~ to ~i hdr gnvs
~aa~ dHv h~w~ HZgt m~lts the widd HI nor ads al Ih( mt ltf rltSUlHltfon and thmiddot tOft -hdf ~i1Vf~ ~H rhtir hous~$ forcver u ~middot-bn E~fa
[ 1 hey amppmiddota1 IImiddot anltt~ lilx and wide Igty monument and edifices and naming Inltm ~her hemsgte III his mamr IhltV 3cltk to h(Or yearning for jmm()nality~ S II finih
1l1~rs cle 0 CLshy
49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
USf hi~
qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
j - J ~ t ( L f-s iT tlltI I
r-- i I shy 1 middotL[ -l e
( yJ
1 i
_- --J1 ~- -_ --shy ff r
_
----shy ~
gt 7
5 euro -~~ ~~w---
S l~
-shy - -
((I (if~fd --~ lic
I
-lt ~ l
-I-r Ir ~
(
jj
i lt1 ~~t 1
i ~ lt
y U eJ shy
dJ ~ ~
i
tf
(--- ~
l I C-) Irf Ur 1
I
~J ~~middotd i I(
)
r J Df ( e I f f i
l~
f tlt
I s f( ~ N I~ middot1 -is h pVl
Ce-
j
bull tlt A i fv _ ~
1-1
I I
i Lof (If f
~
~
~
j
pe-shyrerdv (3
r gt ( i
l -- j gt(IOd f e )[(J fV)(j~J
_ f e )~ In
~ (gt1 ( d - ft )f fr-e) 115 f n
~----------~ )S r IgtK ~~~ --
i - j r~-CJ - ~~ K~~
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1
~r
~__[~ ~ ~JD I
yj
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epound- _--d -shy
f~ ) ~
- iy 7
fQr
Itfle
rtf I I
v
ti
+ -
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C ~j
l l l
l
- I J 0 1l i) ) jN
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r I i
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pici
) )
1 t bull j I C J l
shy
t f
I 7f jI I
l gt (lYCmiddot
~
f j j-lt f - J )
j I
til J I J II r D 0 D 9~ l ~ ~ ~ ~
i I ~ iii
D
D ~ 5 5 ~ amp3I
~ ~ = u
u tjl - ~ -=if
bull ~ ~
d
0 5
~ I f
bull ~
E -c
~ ~ ~
D9 9 = ~ l ~ ~ J d
~ ti
j u
Iigtlgt JD J r D ~ w lt
I ltIII IIgt poundI u a D U l gtIII ~ g ~ 3 I 1 ~ I U
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
1 Kmiddot~ lll1 I K ttN~ m~~~M t l Kgt ~ 1 n lt1i~ 37( 11 _ m~m l1) Y~~Y l W K4) t wrJ
Cz l1l l)7) y-mllllR (~~6) ZAW LXXV 1953 p S45
mP K 11( io liR 2t~l m tlMfl-nl)w1I Wl ~ Uii7M llw~m 1
l 3
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49 RltognZlflg KOfachs grd lur wNllh il5 Inlt- roo of his downfall h~ righteom sons Ctgtn[gtfJltAi th pwm teaching IIIt fllll ~hould U$e hIS sojourn on ea1h In enhancf hi bIlfuai dvdnpmlt laquoOld preplt 1m the -odd 10 Come life I oo ped 1
ltJpporllmiry lor 1m IfLnmpihhmpn to slmd(f nn l6eless pkdlres Intl pm
n~nJ j
ilatgtlt [J ern iIi days 5wrmnd me ~ Those wiJ() rely em tllclr posseSSWIiS
art boastfulmiddotmiddotmiddot g yet a mall camlOtIj his ral1surn q Tn coslill I their
on
tilejr name lilrollshOlif mall III glory he shaH not repose
H This is thei way fdly oo irinir
death slwll C01lWIJC liim awi the uprigiri shall dominate dilH
~t daybccamp their esseIce is doomed to rot irl fhe grape from his dwellillg )0 Hilt God will redeem rny Dui from
tlw lower iNNld for He will luke me Selah i7 Feal Jot a tHiHl $rHll~ ridl wllln Ii igtllr1b(S the ~ple1Hlur of hi hOBse )6 For fpOM his death he will riOlake anything his splcndo
lIim 19 ThaIgil he may hless himself ill hii praise you if yo imprltme yow self ~ Jt shall
come to Ihe ~~efleraiiim of Itgt falhers - IUllo elcmily they shall lt( 1(l kht ~I l1ml i lorimi~ bHt lmdcrslmrd riO he is likencd
49 1ar ~hcmiddotukl
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qjourn Oll
earth Ie
enhann his spIritual demiddot
ilelopmen md prept1c
in( the Vlord It Come
2r6lVf j-rJA A H
For ale conducfor bi Iw sons or Korah a psalm 2Hear this all yO
peoples give ear ail you dwellers of decaying earth l sons or Adam allfl
sons of man rich and poor together 4 lyfy mouth will speak wisdom arlit lhe meditations mlj heart ilre ins(ghtiit 5 I will incline my ear 10 the parab~ uAth a harp 1 will sole my riddle Why should I be lcarful in days of em when the hljUf1ciions that trod I1pon will surround me Those Jho rellI~ lilelr possessions and 1heU are boastful their great weailh 6 yet a J1fIn
[~
cannot redeem a brother he cannot giDc his ransom to God 3 Too costly] Iheir sours redemplion and unattainable forever Iil Can one line elemaJ1~
never to see the I Though he sees that Hise men die thai the foolish arW boorish perish together and lealt thcir possessions 0 others II neverthei
in their imaoinalion their houses are foreuer their dwellings generation oelaimed their m~mes Itrrouqhol1 Ute lands lJ But~
he shaU flat repose he is likencf 10 the silenced ani~~tI yet or their destiny their moulhs speak soOl
iilgpound Selah i~ Like sheep they iJre destined for the Lower World dealh stfiJ consume [hem and the upright silall dominate (hem at daybreak their fo~
is doomed 0 [01 in tIl~~ grdue each from his dweJiing i6 But God will redeem my soul from fhe hand of the Lower World He wi fake me Selah 11 Fear not wilen d milrt grows rich when he mcreases the glm Ms house lis jor UpOrl his death lie will no fake anyfhinggt his glory will not descend after him )9 Though he rflay bless hirnself in his iifelme olhers wi praise YOIl if YOll improve yotrself ~ I) it shall corne to fhe generation ojlIs fathers unto eternity Ihey shall see n~ light bull 2 Man igt glorious but fir he understands not he i5 likened to the silenced animals
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~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
~ il(P Oirm~ m~ ll lK 7~~ UCgtrll nR c~middotnj)l i inrl7l~ nrmGIt o~~tn p1 lI
il~~ nR Jm)tjl cnrl it lm~ ll Cil~ ~m~1- 11-11)1)1 l1i~i1-Imn 71 Nly l~fii ~ 1J~
l~p i~1l lii~ lN nrr mNiJ 7Ull illl ~
nm - n)1 C~middotmiddotUltJl l~7 iiili 1l~ Vorlage n ilm ~ lITlll )Wl O~C~1m Clll ptptW
3nmiddotJY~S il~ii))j ~m lnm
llmJl innl 1~ nllil mtI m~il1 l~middotIp r~i Clf
C~i JR rN pC q~lrPJ 0l1t~ C~-l-l1) IWK -i~ It bull1~Wii 11rlC il IN li7M~1) n~ Pl I m~ i1NI mil~ l1) m)J~1 i1tt~l)1 -1l1~ nimt~ rlilill 111 tllC N1i~ yenj~t ~
C~i1)il 0middot 1n1l nJpnt1ll njt~ii 117 jWllWt
nrm ~nlC 11t11n O~ll1J m~lrl n~ m~ IttVJ iWK
nm) fIIlti)krl nN pl1ll Rl t7 in it~il C~l)~ Dl 1Ir=I l~ )n I lil j1W (lIl7J7
M Noth Die mnf lyri5Ch iH~rlkferten liIpokryphen 2 Psahnen ZA W lVlU 1930 pp 1-23
rinen til~ nx I7l (u-n 1l~ trtpound) tt t1lll1 iln m~f 3 JA Sanden PS1S1 in 11 QPsllZAW LXXVtn rWl J963pp73-86idfID Two N(m~Canoni~1 Psalmsml1 Qfs lml neUl rtlRl ~fI)M t ZAW LXXVl 1964 PI 57-75 111 trO~Nil ~n llltrl1 ntmiddot n~l ~~p i1ltft) ~
-CUm ~~lt lllill~iI IlXPr)ll n~OJlM r ~t Inl n lUll jNlOf ~N ~iyt lIll17 11l~trll1 10 Cltltll 1 W Skehan A frat- I -m) 13tNnN rlQl In tlPfT
neOt of the Song of Moses [Dellt 32l from Qumra1 ~tn)lt sect)) lgtl1 gl1cpm (BASOlt 136 1954 pp 12-15 F M Cross A New Qumran Biblical Frasment Related) to tbe Original Hebrew Underlying the SepuJIIginta BASOl
132 1953 pp 15-25
in i~l~ ii)n17l ll~~im to it C~ltltm-nili
~~ji~ lli)C 1l~lV Cll~il Il~~nnl il y 1 Il~tl~ nln~ C Cli - Nly m1l n)t)l - m n~middotm~t CN (Syrohexapa) niO (Vetus Latina) it) nfl-m~l rnlOl in mmj ~ lr~ fro 11 P
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-
J Carrnignac La ilX Xirnp 1- 111017 l1ll rV Forme poeuque du Psaume 151 de 1a grotte 11 ReJlue de 171r) i)nHm~I N Qumrafl (- RQ) IV 1963 p371 mrrgt ili1 ptll3 (Sl-fiS l tq~- TlO-X 13amp-187 3
rn~~ KlI11~
Tne Alleged Orphism of ~nlJ~Ill r~Ul - v y~1 S 11 QPs 28 3-12 ZA W LXXVr 1964 pp9l-100
~yil ilm ~ CilllNllil Tl7i1-l7i~ tl~ m~)nl 6 ~y1ll pw f1rIJ N ~l 7Wlll ~-r lW71 rl11 1)1)
nmlDPlI flillfl1 111)1 X~~l1 c~m fC~ll ~~ ~ w )~ n~ iX 1mt W tmll (91-14 ~) ~w n ~l m~ltl n~~~ s71 71) W tli7~t s1~ p~l )~ 7111 nn 11ll nnll l~ ~ l~l tlPm t7~ ll~r-