PSALM 49 THEIR OWN GRAVES ARE THE FOOLS’ HOME


October 1
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PSALM 49 THEIR OWN GRAVES ARE THE FOOLS’ HOME
10 For he sees that even the wise die;
the fool and the stupid alike must perish
and leave their wealth to others.
11 Their graves are their homes forever,
their dwelling places to all generations,
though they called lands by their own names.
12 Man in his pomp will not remain;
he is like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence;
yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah
14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
death shall be their shepherd,
and the upright shall rule over them in the morning.
Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.
15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol,
for he will receive me. Selah – Psalm 49:10-15
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
All those who believe in the Lord are assured of an eternal life
They are wise to follow the ways of the Spirit rather than the easy path
But the fools and ungodly alike will leave their riches to others
Their own graves become their dwelling place, that’s where they’re destined to be.
Those who are haughty and proud will easily find their way to their own death
Because they continue to boast and focus on their cravings and satisfy themselves
This is the way that the unrighteous will go, they will end up in the pit
God will ransom those who continue to serve him and follow his will.
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REFLECTION
• What do you think did the psalmist mean when he says in verse 11 “that their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations though they called lands by their own names?”

PSALM 49 NO MAN CAN RANSOM ANOTHER


September 30
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PSALM 49 NO MAN CAN RANSOM ANOTHER
Hear this, all peoples!
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2 both low and high,
rich and poor together!
3 My mouth shall speak wisdom;
the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.
5 Why should I fear in times of trouble,
when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,
6 those who trust in their wealth
and boast of the abundance of their riches?
7 Truly no man can ransom another,
or give to God the price of his life,
8 for the ransom of their life is costly
and can never suffice,
9 that he should live on forever
and never see the pit. – Psalm 49:1-9
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A poem inspired by this psalm by ILMA
Listen you, all of those who serve the Lord
Pay attention all of you, both rich and poor alike
Speak only the truth in love and heed the wise sayings
Continue to follow the word of the Lord and keep on praying
There is no human who can ransom another
Only our holy and majestic God is our Redeemer
Nobody can give his life back to God, he doesn’t own it anyway
Only the Lord can ransom us back since he is our Lord and Maker
Do not pretend to be a rescuer, that is the role of our heavenly Father
Let God do only what he can, stop deluding yourself and depend on him only.
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REFLECTION
• Why do unbelievers delude themselves to think they can rescue and fix others?