Amplified Bible
Psalms 49:5
5Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the wickedness of those who would betray me surrounds me [on every side],
Psalms 49:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
- New International Version (NIV)Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me—
- English Standard Version (ESV)Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
Context of Psalms 49:5
3My mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be understanding. 4I will incline my ear and consent to a proverb; On the lyre I will unfold my riddle. Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the wickedness of those who would betray me surrounds me [on every side], 6Even those who trust in and rely on their wealth And boast of the abundance of their riches? 7None of them can by any means redeem [either himself or] his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him—
Read all of Psalms 49Psalms 49:5 word by word
לָ֣מָּה אִ֭ירָא בִּ֣ימֵי רָ֑ע עֲוֹ֖ן עֲקֵבַ֣י יְסוּבֵּֽנִי׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 49:5
- Psalms 27:1The Lord is my light and my salvation— Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the refuge and fortress of my life— Whom shall I dread?
- Psalms 46:1God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], A very present and well-proved help in trouble.
- Isaiah 41:10Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’
- Acts 27:24and said, ‘Stop being afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has given you [the lives of] all those who are sailing with you.’
- Romans 8:33Who will bring any charge against God’s elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who justifies us [declaring us blameless and putting us in a right relationship with Himself].
- Philippians 1:28And in no way be alarmed or intimidated [in anything] by your opponents, for such [constancy and fearlessness on your part] is a [clear] sign [a proof and a seal] for them of [their impending] destruction, but [a clear sign] for you of deliverance and salvation, and that too, from God.
- Proverbs 24:10If you are slack (careless) in the day of distress, Your strength is limited.
- Amos 5:13Therefore, he who is prudent and has insight will keep silent at such a [corrupt and evil] time, for it is an evil time [when people will not listen to truth and will disregard those of good character].
- Ephesians 5:16making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.
- Psalms 38:4For my iniquities have gone over my head [like the waves of a flood]; As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.
- Proverbs 5:22The iniquities done by a wicked man will trap him, And he will be held with the cords of his sin.
- Hosea 7:2But they do not consider in their hearts (minds) That I remember [always] all their wickedness. Now their deeds surround and entangle them; They are before My face.
- Proverbs 22:16He who oppresses or exploits the poor to get more for himself Or who gives to the rich [to gain influence and favor], will only come to poverty.
- Genesis 49:17Dan shall be a [venomous] serpent in the way, A fanged snake in the path, That bites the horse’s heels, So that his rider falls backward.
- 1 Samuel 26:20Now then, do not let my blood fall to the ground away from the presence of the Lord; for the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, just as when one hunts a [defenseless] partridge in the mountains.”
Commentaries on Psalms 49:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5The iniquity of my heels - Perhaps עקבי akebai, which we translate my heels, should be considered the contracted plural of עקבים akebim, supplanters. The verse would then read thus: "Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, though the iniquity of my supplanters should compass me about." The Syriac and Arabic have taken a similar view of the passage: "Why should I fear in the evil day, when the iniquity of my enemies compasses me about." And so Dr…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil - This verse is designed evidently to state the main subject of the psalm; the result of the reflections of the author on what had been to him a source of perplexity; on what had seemed to him to be a dark problem. He “had” evidently felt that there was occasion to dread the power of wicked rich men; but he now felt that he had no ground for that fear and alarm. He saw that their power was short-lived; that all…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-8If enemies who live for material rewards cannot sustain themselves, how can they give life to others?Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 55. iniquity--or, "calamity" (Psa 40:12). of my heels--literally "my supplanters" (Ge 27:36), or oppressors: "I am surrounded by the evils they inflict."Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 49:5
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 49
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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