This is the way of those who are foolish, and of their posterity who approve their sayings. Like sheep they are laid in the grave. (Psalm 49:13-14) As was addressed in the previous devotion, it is foolish for anyone to think that building their own kingdom will endure...

The fool and the senseless person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not...

Those who trust in their wealth and boast 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 souls is costly. (Psalm 49:6-8) Carnal men are generally unresponsive to the...

Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity at my heels surrounds me? (Psalm 49:5) In the previous verse, the psalmist spoke of the need to listen intently “to a proverb” and then, presumably, reveal what is learned through music made upon his harp....

I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp. (Psalm 49:4) From the beginning of time, music has been infinitely important to mankind; more specifically, sacred music is essential to the believer as a source of inspiration and...

I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp. (Psalm 49:4) The Hebrew word translated here as “proverb” is equivalent in meaning to the word “parable” which literally means “throwing alongside.” In other words, a parable is a story,...

Hear this, all peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding. (Psalm 49:1-3) Throughout the Gospels, Messiah would often emphasize the...

Hear this, all peoples; give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding. (Psalm 49:1-3) There is a conclusion drawn by Jewish commentators that this...

Walk about Zion, and go all around her. Count her towers; mark well her bulwarks. Consider her palaces that you may tell it to the generation following. For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death. (Psalm 48:12-14) It is obvious that...

Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Your judgments. (Psalm 48:11) There is a Talmudic legend that relates the reaction of a notable rabbi when he saw foxes roaming Mount Moriah among the ruins of the Temple. According to the legend,...

According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. (Psalm 48:10) When it comes to human beings and our likes and dislikes, we so often try to present those we love and respect in the best of light. For...

As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. (Psalm 48:8) In the previous devotion, I made this observation: when King Messiah rules from Jerusalem and we, as His people, are gathered before...