From the Power of the Grave
Read Psalm 49. What led the psalmist to be so sure of his final resur-
rection (Ps. 49:15) in contrast to those who perished without that
assurance (Ps. 49:6–14)?
Psalm 49 speaks about the false confidence of the foolish “who trust
in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches” (Ps. 49:6,
NKJV), who “call their lands after their own names” (Ps. 49:11, NKJV),
and who live only to bless themselves (Ps. 49:18). They act as if their
houses and their own glory would last forever (Ps. 49:11, 17).
But the foolish forget that their honor vanishes and that they perish
just as the beasts do (Ps. 49:12, NKJV). “Like sheep they are laid in the
grave; death shall feed on them; . . . and their beauty shall be consumed
in the grave, far from their dwelling” (Ps. 49:14, NKJV).
As stated by Job centuries earlier, “ ‘Naked I came from my mother’s
womb, and naked I will depart’ ” (Job 1:21, NIV; 1 Tim. 6:7). The
psalmist points out that both the fool and the wise die, leaving “their
wealth to others” (Ps. 49:10, NKJV).
But there is a radical contrast between them. On one side are the
fools who perish, even though trying to find assurance in their own
transient possessions and accomplishments. In contrast, the wise
behold, beyond the human saga and the prison of the grave, the glorious
reward that God has reserved for them (1 Pet. 1:4). With this percep-
tion in mind, the psalmist could say with confidence, “But God will
redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me”
(Ps. 49:15, NKJV).
Consistent with the Old Testament hope, this statement is not sug-
gesting that at the time of his death, the soul of the psalmist would
fly immediately into heaven. The psalmist is simply saying that he
would not remain forever in the grave. A time would come when
God would redeem him from death and take him to the heavenly
courts.
Once again, the certainty of the future resurrection is depicted, bring-
ing hope, assurance, and meaning to this present existence. So, the wise
will receive a far more glorious and everlasting reward than what the
foolish could gather for themselves during this short life.
What are the ways that you have been able to see the folly of
those who trust in their own wealth and accomplishments? How
can keeping your eyes on the cross protect you from falling into
the same error?
