Psalms 49:20

Psalms 49:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.
• New International Version (NIV)People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Man in his pomp yet without understanding is like the beasts that perish.
• New Living Translation (NLT)People who boast of their wealth don’t understand; they will die, just like animals.

Context of Psalms 49:20

18Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself), 19He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see light. A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, Is like the beasts that perish.

Psalms 49:20 word by word

אָדָ֣ם בִּ֭יקָר וְלֹ֣א יָבִ֑ין נִמְשַׁ֖ל כַּבְּהֵמ֣וֹת נִדְמֽוּ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• in honourיְקָרyeqâr · preciousnessH3366
• and understandethבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
• not, is likeמָשַׁלmâshal · to likenH4911
• the beastsבְּהֵמָהbehêmâh · animalH929
• perishדָּמָהdâmâh · to ceaseH1820

Cross-references for Psalms 49:20

• Psalms 49:12Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts that perish.
• Esther 5:11Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king.
• Esther 7:10So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s wrath subsided.
• Job 4:21Does not their own excellence go away? They die, even without wisdom.’
• Psalms 73:18Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction.
• Ecclesiastes 3:18I said in my heart, “Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like animals.”

Commentaries on Psalms 49:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Man that is in honor - The rich and honorable man who has no spiritual understanding, is a beast in the sight of God. The spirit of this maxim is, A man who is in a dignified official situation, but destitute of learning and sound sense, is like a beast. The important place which he occupies reflects no honor upon him, but is disgraced by him. Who has not read the fable of the beautifully carved head? It was every thing that it should be, but had no…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20Man that is in honor - Man that is in possession of wealth, or that occupies an exalted rank. See the notes at Psalm 49:12. And understandeth not - That is, who has no proper appreciation of what it is to be a man; of what is his true rank “as” a man; of his relations to God; of his condition as an immortal being - man that values himself only on the fact that he is rich; that lives for this world alone; that regards it as a sufficient distinction that he…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-20Verses 15-20 Believers should not fear death. The distinction of men's outward conditions, how great soever in life, makes none at death; but the difference of men's spiritual states, though in this life it may seem of small account, yet at and after death is very great. The soul is often put for the life. The God of life, who was its Creator at first, can and will be its Redeemer at last. It includes the salvation of the soul from eternal ruin. Believers…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-20The wicked might have rich, luxurious lives, but they forget that they cannot avoid death.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. (Compare Psa 49:12). The folly is more distinctly expressed by "understandeth not," substituted for "abideth not."Read the comment

Topics related to Psalms 49:20

• Death
• Rulers
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Approve
• Boast
• Carry
• Likewise
• Manasseh
• Psalms
• Affliction
• Age; Old Age
• Bible, the
• Dark Sayings

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