English Standard Version
Psalms 49:7
7Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life,
Psalms 49:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
- New International Version (NIV)No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—
- New King James Version (NKJV)None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him—
- New Living Translation (NLT)Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God.
Context of Psalms 49:7
5Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, 6those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, 8for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, 9that he should live on forever and never see the pit.
Read all of Psalms 49Psalms 49:7 word by word
אָ֗ח לֹא־פָדֹ֣ה יִפְדֶּ֣ה אִ֑ישׁ לֹא־יִתֵּ֖ן לֵאלֹהִ֣ים כָּפְרֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Commentaries on Psalms 49:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7Sone of them can by any means redeem his brother - Wealth cannot save from death; brother, however rich, cannot save his brother; nor will God accept riches as a ransom for the life or soul of any transgressor. To procure health of body, peace of mind, redemption from death, and eternal glory, riches are sought for and applied in vain.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7None of them can bid any means redeem his brother - None of those who are rich. This verse might be literally rendered, “a brother cannot by redeeming redeem; a man cannot give to God his own ransom.” The passage, therefore, may mean either, as in our version, that no one, however rich, can redeem a brother - his own brother - by his wealth; or, that a brother - one who sustains the relation of a brother - cannot rescue another from death. On the word…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-14Verses 6-14 Here is a description of the spirit and way of worldly people. A man may have wealth, and may have his heart enlarged in love, thankfulness, and obedience, and may do good with it. Therefore it is not men's having riches that proves them to be worldly, but their setting their hearts upon them as the best things. Worldly men have only some floating thoughts of the things of God, while their fixed thoughts, their inward thoughts, are about the…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. 7-97-9. yet unable to save themselves or others.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 49:7
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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Commentaries