Earthly treasures inevitably perish, so Psalm 49:17 calls believers to place their hope in God’s enduring kingdom rather than in passing wealth.
In Psalm 49, the sons of Korah remind God’s people that the riches and prestige of this world are fleeting. In verse 17, the psalmist declares, “For when he dies he will carry nothing away; His glory will not descend after him.” (v.17) This vivid statement underscores that no matter how much wealth or status someone achieves, none of it travels beyond the grave. Like many passages in Scripture, including Deuteronomy’s instructions on giving generously, this verse exposes how earthly abundance can tempt people toward self-reliance or exploitation if their hearts are not aligned with God’s will, highlighting that it is God alone who provides everlasting security.
When the psalmist says, “His glory will not descend after him,” he draws attention to the futility of investing our ultimate hope in temporal possessions. This theme resonates in the New Testament, where Jesus asks, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). The message is consistent: amassing fortunes or human accolades cannot protect anyone from physical death or spiritual accountability. Instead, the faithful are called to rest in God’s eternal promises, recognizing that true wealth lies in a relationship with the Lord, not in temporary gains.
Set to dark mode
Psalms 49:17 meaning
In Psalm 49, the sons of Korah remind God’s people that the riches and prestige of this world are fleeting. In verse 17, the psalmist declares, “For when he dies he will carry nothing away; His glory will not descend after him.” (v.17) This vivid statement underscores that no matter how much wealth or status someone achieves, none of it travels beyond the grave. Like many passages in Scripture, including Deuteronomy’s instructions on giving generously, this verse exposes how earthly abundance can tempt people toward self-reliance or exploitation if their hearts are not aligned with God’s will, highlighting that it is God alone who provides everlasting security.
When the psalmist says, “His glory will not descend after him,” he draws attention to the futility of investing our ultimate hope in temporal possessions. This theme resonates in the New Testament, where Jesus asks, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). The message is consistent: amassing fortunes or human accolades cannot protect anyone from physical death or spiritual accountability. Instead, the faithful are called to rest in God’s eternal promises, recognizing that true wealth lies in a relationship with the Lord, not in temporary gains.