诗篇 49:18

Chinese NCV (Simplified)

他在世的時候，雖然自稱是有福的，並且說：“只要你豐足，人就稱讚你。”

Parallel Translations

Chinese Union (Simplified)
他 活 着 的 时 候 ， 虽 然 自 夸 为 有 福 （ 你 若 利 己 ， 人 必 夸 奖 你 ） ；

Contextual Overview

¹⁵ But God will save my life and will take me from the grave. Selah ¹⁶ Don't be afraid of rich people because their houses are more beautiful. ¹⁷ They don't take anything to the grave; their wealth won't go down with them. ¹⁸ Even though they were praised when they were alive— and people may praise you when you succeed— ¹⁹ they will go to where their ancestors are. They will never see light again. ²⁰ Rich people with no understanding are just like animals that die.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

while he lived: Heb. in his life

blessed: Deuteronomy 29:19, Hosea 12:8, Luke 12:19

praise: 1 Samuel 25:6, Esther 3:2, Acts 12:20-22, Revelation 13:3, Revelation 13:4

Reciprocal: Psalms 10:3 - and blesseth Psalms 36:2 - For he Proverbs 28:4 - that Malachi 3:15 - we call Luke 16:15 - for

Cross-References

Genesis 49:5
"Simeon and Levi are brothers who used their swords to do violence.

Genesis 49:6
I will not join their secret talks, and I will not meet with them to plan evil. They killed men because they were angry, and they crippled oxen just for fun.

Psalms 14:7
I pray that victory will come to Israel from Mount Zion! May the Lord bring them back. Then the people of Jacob will rejoice, and the people of Israel will be glad.

Psalms 40:1

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

I waited patiently for the Lord . He turned to me and heard my cry.

Psalms 62:1

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

I find rest in God; only he can save me.

Psalms 62:5
I find rest in God; only he gives me hope.

Psalms 85:7
Lord , show us your love, and save us.

Psalms 119:41
Lord , show me your love, and save me as you have promised.

Psalms 119:166
I am waiting for you to save me, Lord . I will obey your commands.

Psalms 119:174
I want you to save me, Lord . I love your teachings.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Though while he lived he blessed his soul,.... Praised and extolled himself on account of his acquisitions and merit; or proclaimed himself a happy man, because of his wealth and riches; or foolishly flattered himself with peace, prosperity, and length of days, and even with honour and glory after death;

and [men] will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself; or "but k men will praise thee", c. both rich and poor, all wise men when, as the Jewish interpreters l generally explain the word, a man regards true wisdom and religion, and is concerned for the welfare of his soul more than that of his body; or "when thou thyself doest well": that is, to others, doing acts of beneficence, communicating to the necessities of the poor; or rather, "when thou doest well to thyself", by enjoying the good things of life, taking his portion, eating the fruit of his labour, which is good and comely; see Ecclesiastes 5:18.

k ויודך "atque celebraverint te", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. l Jarchi, Aben Ezra, Kimchi & Ben Melech in loc.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Though while he lived - Margin, as in Hebrew, “in his life.” More literally, “in his lives.” The idea is, as long as he lived.

He blessed his soul - That is, he blessed himself; he congratulated himself; he regarded his condition as desirable and enviable. He “took airs” upon himself; he felt that his was a happy lot; he expected and demanded respect and honor from others on account of his wealth. He commended himself as having evinced sagacity in the means by which he acquired wealth - thus imparting honor to himself; and he congratulated himself on the result, as placing him in a conditiOn above want, and in a condition that entitled him to honor. A striking illustration of this feeling is found in the parable of the rich fool, Luke 12:19, “And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”

And men will praise thee - Others will praise thee. He not only blessed or commended himself, but he might expect that others would praise and congratulate him also. They would regard him as a happy man; happy, because he had been thus successful; happy, because he had accumulated that which was the object of so universal desire among people. Success, though founded on that which is entitled to no praise, and which is even the result of unprincipled conduct, often secures the temporary praise of men, while a want of success, though connected with the strictest, sternest virtue, is often followed by neglect, or is even regarded as proof that he who fails has no claim to honor.

When thou doest well to thyself - Well, in reference to success in life, or in the sense that thou art prospered. Your industry, your sagacity, your prosperity will be the theme of commendation. To a certain extent, where this does not lead to self flattery and pride, it is proper and right. The virtues which ordinarily contribute to prosperity “are” worthy of commendation, and should be held up to the example of the young. But what is evil and wrong in the matter here referred to is that the man’s commendation of himself, and the commendation by others, all tends to foster a spirit of pride and self-confidence; to make the soul easy and satisfied with the condition; to produce the feeling that all is gained which needs to be gained; to make the possessor of wealth arrogant and haughty; and to lead him to neglect the higher interests of the soul.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Psalms 49:18. He blessed his soul — He did all he could to procure himself animal gratifications, and he was applauded for it; for it is the custom of the world to praise them who pay most attention to their secular interest; and he who attends most to the concerns of his soul is deemed weak and foolish, and is often persecuted by an ungodly world.