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Pentecost Season · Proper 13 · Year C

Psalm 49:1-12

The Folly of Trusting in Riches

August 6, 2028

The Triumph of Death, Pieter Bruegel the Elder
The Triumph of Death, Pieter Bruegel the Elder, c. 1562Museo del Prado, Madrid
An army of skeletons sweeping across a burnt country, taking the cardplayers and the king and the pilgrims without distinction.Those who trust in their wealth cannot ransom themselves. Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.Pieter Bruegel the ElderBruegel, who gave death no face and no favourites.Museo del Prado, MadridThe Museo del Prado, Madrid.Museo del Prado, Madrid
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 12:13-21Lk 12:13-21
EpistleCol. 3:1-11Col 3:1-11
Old TestamentHos. 11:1-11Hos 11:1-11Alt. OTEccl. 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23Eccl 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
PsalterPs. 107:1-9, 43Ps 107:1-9, 43Alt. PsalmPs. 49:1-12Ps 49:1-12

Overview & Insights

"Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish." (Psalm 49:12)

This wisdom psalm warns rich and poor alike that no one can buy their way out of death, so wealth offers no lasting security. It calls the hearer to listen with the ear of a proverb rather than trust in riches.

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Take it further: Psalm 49:1-12

Commentary

Commentary on Psalm 49:1-12Commentary on Ps 49:1-12 Working Preacher

Reads the psalm as wisdom instruction that death is the great equalizer of rich and poor.

Psalm 49:1-12 CommentaryPs 49:1-12 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching

Sums up the psalm's bottom line that riches cannot buy escape from death.

Psalm 49 CommentaryPs 49 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik

Verse-by-verse treatment of the psalm's warning against trusting in wealth.

Background & Word Study

Psalm 49Ps 49 Sefaria

Hebrew text of the psalm alongside classic Jewish commentators.

Psalm 49:1 InterlinearPs 49:1 Interlinear BibleHub

Hebrew text and parsing for the psalm's opening summons.

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