Translations
Modern
No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.
Traditional
None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:
Literal
A brother surely cannot ransom a man, and he cannot give to God his redemption price.
Latin
Frater non redimit, redimet homo: non dabit Deo placationem suam,
Original
Hebrew
English
No man can possibly redeem his brother or pay his ransom to God.
Notes
If enemies who live for material rewards cannot sustain themselves, how can they give life to others?
In this wisdom psalm, a wise teacher warns about enemies who live richly and care only for themselves (Psalm 49:5–9). They cannot save anyone, not even themselves, from death or being forgotten (Psalm 49:10–12). Like fattened animals, they are led to slaughter (Psalm 49:14–20).
Theme notes and profiles
Parallels
Glossary
David Korahite, Korathite Music Numbers, Book of Poor, the Psalms, Book of Ransom
Topics
Boasting: Spiritual Confidence: False Death of the Wicked Death: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Immortality: General Scriptures Concerning Ransom of a Man's Life Redemption: Man Cannot Effect Riches: Cannot Redeem the Soul Works: Insufficiency of, for Salvation