Timeless Biblical Truth.
Those who cherish this world’s glory (of power and wealth) will perish like the beasts, but those who live by faith will triumph in death.
- People need to heed these words of wisdom to understand this life (1-4).
- Command: People need to heed these words of wisdom (1-2).
- Reason: This psalm will reveal the riddles of this life (3-4).
- Believers need not fear the powerful and wealthy because neither can redeem a soul or survive death (5-12).
- Question: Should believers fear iniquitous people (5-6).
- Answer: Those who trust in wealth and power are weak since they cannot redeem themselves from death despite their wealth (7-12).
- Believers must evaluate this world’s glory with the knowledge that after death their destiny is different than that of the foolish (13-20).
- Those who trust in their pomp and power are foolish, even though others boast of them (13).
- The destiny of those who live a life of folly will be different than that of believers (14-15).
- Believers do not have a reason to fear the rich and powerful for all of their boasted glory will perish with them (16-19).
- Command: Believers are not to be afraid of the rich (16).
- Reason: The rich unbeliever will perish forever (17-19).
- Those who lack understanding of this truth are like the beasts that perish (20).
Since everything we possess is a gift from God, our stewardship of His gifts is not seen in how much we give, but in how much we keep.
Questions for Second Milers
- This psalm is a wisdom psalm, teaching people how to live life successfully with skill. To whom does the psalmist direct his words? Why?
- What does the psalmist say is the common experience for everyone?
- What does the psalmist say that divides everyone in death?
- What happens in death to those whose confidence was in riches?
- Although it is hard to state, yet it must be asked, to what extent do you trust in material wealth? What do you expect it will do for you in this life? After death?
- Where does the psalmist place his confidence? Is this the same place as yours?
- How do verses 7-20 answer the question of verses 5-6?
- In what ways does the wisdom of this psalm help you overcome fear in this life? In the next life?
- Give your own short title to this psalm.
Lanny Tanton is the Pastor at The Bible Church of the Lakes in Horseshoe Bay, Texas – just outside of Marble Falls. Pastor Tanton welcomes you to our website and hopes that you’ll enjoy reading these insightful blog posts. Please contact us if you have further questions!!
