Psalm 49
The Destinies of the Righteous and the Wicked
*Written by the sons of Korah.
*Psalm 49, is a bold contrast between the destinies of the wicked and the righteous.
*The sons of Korah lived in a day when many evil men were boasting of their earthly riches, verses 5-6.
*Psalm 49, was written to enable God's people to rise above the ungodly drive for riches.
Verses 1-4: The psalmist gives an invitation to listen. Psalm 49 applies to ALL people.
Verses 5-12: The psalmist tells how woefully inadequate earthly riches are. On the day of one's death, earthly riches can not redeem their soul.
Verses 13-20: The destinies of the wicked and the righteous are vividly stated:
- The wicked have no hope beyond this life. The wicked will live for eternity in hell with satan and his demons. hell is a place of torment.
- The righteous have a hope beyond this earthly life. The righteous will be resurrected to eternal life in heaven to live with the Lord forever.
*Psalm 49 deals with all the earthly riches/gains and that you can not take it with you into eternity.
*Psalm 49 is called a "Wisdom Poem" because of the truth set forth in it.
*Psalm 49 contains warnings to the rich and famous and gives comfort to the poor.
*Psalm 49 and other Old Testament scriptures "under gird" many New Testament scriptures, such as the rich young ruler in Luke 12:13-21, or the rich young man and Lazarus in Luke 16. "Under gird" means to bind. To secure. To form the basis or foundation of...
*God is not impressed by great riches or fame of a person. Psalm 49 is not to one class of people, it is to all people.
*No earthly gain can buy your way into heaven. All earthly gains will pass away. The spotless blood of the Lamb(Jesus) of God is the only thing that can ransom anyone from death(hell). Salvation is free, but worldly gains are costly.
*True born again christian's have the promise of living forever with the Lord in heaven.
*The wicked(sinners) have no promise. They will live forever in torment with satan and his demons in the flames of hell.
*The purpose of one's life on earth is to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and to ask Him for forgiveness of their sins and to grow spiritually in the Lord and be prepared for eternity.
*To be prepared for eternity is to live for Jesus Christ faithfully.
*To not be prepared for eternity is to live for the here and now on earth.
*What are you preparing for? Are you preparing to live eternally with the Lord in heaven? or are you just preparing for the here and now on earth?
*Preparing for eternity with the Lord = Heaven.
*Preparing for the here and now on earth = hell.
*Which will you choose? Heaven or hell.
*Heaven is joyous.
*Hell is torment.
