Christian Standard Bible
Psalms 49:5
5Why should I fear in times of trouble? The iniquity of my foes surrounds me.
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 speaks wisdom; my heart’s meditation brings understanding. 4I turn my ear to a proverb; I explain my riddle with a lyre. Why should I fear in times of trouble? The iniquity of my foes surrounds me. 6They trust in their wealth and boast of their abundant riches. 7Yet these cannot redeem a person or pay his ransom to God —
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 should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — whom should I dread?
- Psalms 46:1God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.
- Isaiah 41:10Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.
- Acts 27:24and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’
- Romans 8:33Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies.
- Philippians 1:28not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your salvation — and this is from God.
- Proverbs 24:10If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited.
- Amos 5:13Therefore, those who have insight will keep silent at such a time, for the days are evil.
- Ephesians 5:16making the most of the time, because the days are evil.
- Psalms 38:4For my iniquities have flooded over my head; they are a burden too heavy for me to bear.
- Proverbs 5:22A wicked man’s iniquities will trap him; he will become tangled in the ropes of his own sin.
- Hosea 7:2But they never consider that I remember all their evil. Now their actions are all around them; they are right in front of my face.
- Proverbs 22:16Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself, and giving to the rich — both lead only to poverty.
- Genesis 49:17Dan will be a snake by the road, a viper beside the path, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider falls backward.
- 1 Samuel 26:20So don’t let my blood fall to the ground far from the Lord’s presence, for the king of Israel has come out to search for a single flea, like one who pursues a 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
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries