Golden Year's Message by Preacher Lek Aik Wee

A Devotional Study of the Psalms

MAN IN HONOUR

PSALM 49

Introduction

Psalm 49 is a wisdom psalm. It teaches us the futility of trusting in our earthly material wealth for our security. And death is not respecter of wealth.

(1) A Solemn call to wisdom (v 1-4 )

Psalm 49:1-4 "{To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.} Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: Both low and high, rich and poor, together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding. I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp."

It begins with an exhortation for all to hear the message of the psalmist. This exhortation comes in the form of two imperatives - (1) Hear which means "to obey, to listen, to be heard of, to be regarded, to cause to hear, to proclaim, to sound aloud." (2) which means "to give an ear, to lend an ear, to listen, to hear". He is addressing all mankind residing on this earth. The Word of God is to be proclaimed and to be obeyed for the blessing of the hearer. For they are words of wisdom, worthy of meditation. To mediate is to ponder, consider carefully, think over with carefulness, with deliberateness. We have examined this word when we studied psalm 1 . Let me illustrate the process of meditation from an unclean animal in the bible, the hare - a member of the rabbit family, it chews the cud; it does not have a split hoof. Chewing the cud means that an animal chew its food, swallows its food, swallows it and digests it part-way in the stomach. Then the food is returned to the mouth where the animal chews it a second time and then swallows it to be digested the rest of the way in its stomach. This provides an illustration of the process of meditation, it is a slow process where the nutrients are slowly absorbed, its essence and its entirety.

These are words of "wisdom" and "understanding. Practical wisdom, for the purposes of life, must be carried about with us, and be ready for us at call. It is not sufficient that we have money at home but not a coin in the pocket, we must carry about with us a store of the current coin of knowledge ready for exchange on all occasions, else we are comparatively helpless when the opportunity for using it occurs. The most profitable study is that which is conduct with a definite aim and object - for us here it is that you may lay up heavenly wisdom that can be pulled out along life's pathways for use anytime. By thoroughly mastering any branch of knowledge we render it more available for use at any moment. Hence it is not enough merely to have books, or to know where to read for information as we want it. I repeat, practical wisdom, for the purposes of life, must be carried about with us, and be ready for use at call.

A parable is the word for "proverb". The Book of Proverbs derives its name from the first two word of the book Proverbs of Solomon. The word "proverb" occurs 4 times in PR 1:1 , 6 ; 10:1 ; 25:1 . It means likeness or resemblance. A proverb is a short sentence often repeated, expressing a well known truth or common fact, ascertained by experience or observation; a maxim of wisdom. These are terse sayings, with careful choice of words that makes a compact expression. The expression is usually stating similar thoughts or contrasting thoughts. This is the Hebrew method of teaching and expression in poetry.

I will open their dark saying upon the harp - The psalmist seeks to enlighten his audience not only to the meaning of the saying but also putting it in music for ease of remembrance. That it may be useful when the need arises.

Who are the hearers? (1) The "low", which is the word for Adam , The first man described in this psalm as the "low" is the Hebrew word that means the earthly man, made from the dust of the ground, used in verse 2 , cursed as a result of the Fall - "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." (Genesis 3:19 ) The word is generally used throughout the O.T. to signify human nature or the human race generally, as contrasted with God above, describing the feeble, mortal and earthly man, showing forth the sense of his weakness. The heart of this man is bear before us in this psalm for sin has plunged his soul into great turmoil. (2) The "high", which is the word is another word for "man" used for the first time in Genesis 2:23 , the King James Translator used the capital "M" for the man in contradistinction with the Woman who was made from the one of the rib of Adam, however, here in psalm 1 , it is not that the psalmist is speaking to the male gender but to both male and female. I believe it refers to the man that have the free will to choose between good and evil, as did Adam before the fall. Most importantly, a man redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ, sins forgiven, the righteous man in the sight of God. We Christians, are no longer in bondage to sin, we can choose not to sin. Our will is not in bondage to Satan. The wisdom to be taught is relevant for both the saved and the unsaved, though more so for the unsaved.

(2) He tells of the futility of trusting in material wealth (v 5-9 , 16-17 )

Psalm 49:5 "Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?"

The psalmist here speaks of distresses and times of difficulty when perhaps he is being persecuted by the power of wicked rich men. Even these, he felt there is no ground for such fear. Their power was short-lived and all ability to inflict pain and suffering will cease shortly.

Psalms 49:6-9 "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 God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption."

Matthew 19:24 "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." The rich man who trusts in his riches has no part in the kingdom of God. His riches is only good for this life.

Jesus warned his disciples on the snares of riches in this parable in Luke 12:16-21 "And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."

Then Jesus also gave here a true account of Lazarus and the plight of the rich man, to contrast the importance of the salvation of the soul. There is a place of eternal bliss and a place of eternal condemnation.

Luke 16:19-31 "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead."

None of them can by any means redeem his brother nor give to God a ransom for him - Material wealth cannot buy salvation.

For the redemption of their soul is precious - The soul is priceless. There is an eternal destiny more precious that far outweighs this earthly sojourn in heaven.

And it ceaseth forever - Death is the separation, there is a gulf fixed between heaven and hell. The dead in hell cannot pass to heaven and the living in heaven will not and cannot be cast to hell. There is an eternal separation where death is the point of no return.

The rich man who trusts in his wealth, though he fared sumptuously, his wealth is good only for this life. That is why Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness to accept the folly of putting a high regard on things carnal and earthly. They are only good on this earth - Matthew 4:3 "And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread." Watch Jesus' reply, Matthew 4:4 "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption - Death is no respecter of wealth.

Testimony

King Solomon in his old age wrote the book of Ecclesiastes to pursue the riches and wisdom of this world. Ecclesiastes 1:2-4 "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever." He has tried everything of interest in this world, given his wealth and power. It does not satisfy him in his old age. He summed up this earthly life in this way, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

Psalms 49:16-17 "Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him."

Death is the greatest of humankind's enemy, showing no respect for age and wealth. It robs parents of a precious child, leaving them to mourn their loss the rest of their lives. It deprives wives and children of their breadwinner and protector, leaving them vulnerable in a hostile world. It takes away an aging spouse, leaving a gray-haired senior citizen without a lifelong companion and closest friend. Sometimes it arrives suddenly and unannounced; at other times it approaches slowly, as if stalking or taunting its helpless victim.

(3) He declared the certainty of death (v 10-11 , 18-19 )

Psalms 49:10-11 "For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names."

Psalms 49:18-19 "Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light."

The rich man expects to be honoured on account of his wealth. Success founded in the material things of this world is good only in this world. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 "Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."

We see buildings named after its founder, schools, universities, but what is in a name when the person ultimately is lost in the eternal fires of hell.

Here is the good news. Jesus is that true Light. John 1:4-5 "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." John 1:9-12 "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." Is Jesus your light?

(4) He concludes with a call to self-examination (v 12-13 , 20 )

Psalm 49:12-13 "Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah."

Psalms 49:20 "Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish."

True honour comes from God according to His Word. A.W. Tozer observed this, "Christians have fallen into the habit of accepting the noisiest and most notorious among them as the best and the greatest. They too have learned to equate popularity with excellence, and in open defiance of the Sermon on the Mount they have given their approval, not to the meek, but to the self-assertive; not to the pure in heart who see God, but to the publicity hunter who seeks headlines." The former is not honour but shame.

"When one seeks the honour that comes from God only, he will take the withholding of the honour that comes from men very quietly." He will not fret, murmur and complain or even turn nasty, demanding honour.

(5) Man in true honour (v 14-15 )

Psalm 49:14 "Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling."

True honour is with the upright. Who is the upright? May we quote once again from the writing of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

Psalms 49:15 "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah."

Those who are born once with physical birth and is spiritually dead, will die twice. The physical death and the spiritual death at the Great White Throne Judgment. This is the reality from God's word, Revelation 20:11-15 "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

Those who are born twice, with physical life and spiritual life in Christ will die once, only physical death and the soul be ushered into eternity with God, like Lazarus. Not only so, but with God guidance this earthly life will be Proverbs 4:18 "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."