Psalm 49 is the 49th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in English in the King James Version: "Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world". In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint version of the bible, and generally in its Latin translations, this psalm is Psalm 48. In the Vulgate, it begins "Audite haec omnes gentes". The psalm is attributed to the sons of Korah and is closely connected with the "Wisdom" or religious philosophy of ancient Israel.
The psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and other Protestant liturgies, and has been set to music.
Commentary
In Jewish tradition the psalm is attributed to the sons of Korah after recognizing their father's greed for wealth as the root of his downfall, and to teach that the purpose of one's life on earth is to enhance his or her spiritual development and to prepare for the world to come.
Alexander Kirkpatrick, in the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges commentary, notes that this Psalm addresses “all peoples” with a theme of common interest to all humanity: is not wealth, after all, the master-force in the world? Must not the poor tremble before its power and pay court to its splendour? In reply, "the Psalmist expresses his own faith that righteousness will be finally triumphant".
Uses
Judaism
- Psalm 49 is recited on the day of Parshat Shekalim.
- It is also recited following Shacharit and Maariv in a house of mourning.
- Verse 6 is found in the Foundation of Repentance, recited on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.
Book of Common Prayer
In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the ninth day of the month.
Musical settings
Heinrich Schütz wrote a setting of a paraphrase of Psalm 49 in German, "Hört zu ihr Völker in gemein", SWV 146, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.
Text
The following table shows the Hebrew text of the Psalm with vowels, alongside the Koine Greek text in the Septuagint and the English translation from the King James Version. Note that the meaning can slightly differ between these versions, as the Septuagint and the Masoretic text come from different textual traditions. In the Septuagint, this psalm is numbered Psalm 48.
Notes
References
External links
- Pieces with text from Psalm 49: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- Psalm 49: Free scores at the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
- Text of Psalm 49 according to the 1928 Psalter
- Psalm 49 in Hebrew and English - Mechon-mamre
- Psalm 49 – What Money Can’t Buy text and detailed commentary, enduringword.com
- For the leader. A psalm of the Korahites. 2Hear this, all you peoples! Give ear, all who inhabit the world text and footnotes, usccb.org United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Psalm 49:1 introduction and text, biblestudytools.com
- Psalm 49 / Refrain: Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. Church of England
- Psalm 49 at biblegateway.com
- Hymns for Psalm 49 hymnary.org
