Psalm 49: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Psalm 49 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The psalmist calls all people, both low and high, rich and poor, to listen (vv. 1-2). He will speak words of wisdom and understanding, using a proverb and a riddle on the harp (vv. 3-4). Despite the presence of iniquity, he questions why he should fear, noting that wealth cannot redeem one's life from death (vv. 5-9). The inevitable fate of all, wise and foolish alike, is death, where they leave their wealth to others (vv. 10-12). The foolish and those who support them are destined for Sheol, while the upright will have dominion over them (vv. 13-14). However, God will redeem the psalmist's soul from Sheol (vv. 15-19). The conclusion states that a man with riches but without understanding is like the animals that perish (v. 20).

Key verse

“none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give God a ransom for him.”
Psalms 49:7 (WEB)

Outline

Psalm 49:1–2 Call to All People
Psalm 49:3–4 Wisdom and Understanding
Psalm 49:5–9 The Futility of Wealth
Psalm 49:10–12 Inevitability of Death
Psalm 49:13–14 Fate of the Foolish
Psalm 49:15–19 God's Redemption
Psalm 49:20 The Conclusion on Understanding

Discussion questions

In v6, why do those who trust in their wealth 'boast in the multitude of their riches'?
What happens in v10 when 'wise men die' and 'the fool and the senseless perish'?
In vv. 8-9, what is meant by the 'redemption of their life' being 'costly'?
In v15, what does it mean that 'God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol'?
When have you seen someone 'bless his soul' due to their wealth, but end up with nothing?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Psalm 49: Mark 8, Matthew 16, Luke 16.

Before next time: read Psalm 50.