A Psalm of the Last Enemy (Psalm #49)

Text: Psalm 49

The last enemy is death.

This applies to everyone (vss 1-4)

Evil days (vs 5)

  • Sin has run its course through the body and the corruptible body begins to fade.
  • Mind doesn’t work like it used to.  The heart doesn’t work like it used to.  Pains become random and more frequent.

Death is greater than wealth (vss 6-9)

  • The enemy of death can’t be bought because this enemy will take everything eventually.
  • 1 Timothy 6:17
  • In verse 8 the soul is precious, riches are not.  Death will end the opportunity to for redemption. It is appointed unto man once to die, but after this, the judgment.
  • I heard a good outline of it that said redemption is:
    • Implied
    • Denied
    • Supplied
    • Applied

Death makes this life transient (vss 10-14)

  • Vs 10 no one gets out alive and riches pass from one hand to another.
  • Vs 11 you’ve seen old dilapidated houses.
    • No one thought that would be the state of the house when they were building it. Castles in Europe that are museums, the royal families have been gone for years.
    • They call their lands after their own names like King Ranch, Houston, Beeville, Austin, San Antonio, Washington, etc.
  • Vs 12 Nevertheless… I love how that is so nonchalantly said.  They’re wealthy, they’re honourable, but anyway (nevertheless)
  • Vs 13 their way is their folly…
    • So the world has a way of doing things
    • John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
  • Vs 14 the upright have dominon over them in the morning
    • That’s first the 1000 year reign of the Lord Jesus Christ

God is the redeemer (vs 15)

  • David isn’t looking for redemption because he’s keeping the important parts of the law.  David is looking to the LORD to redeem him.

Fear not (vss 16-20)

  • Vs 16 politicians  like Haman
  • Vs 17 The Egyptians thought they could fill the tombs of the dead with food and money for the afterlife.
  • Vs 20 Having understanding is the difference between life and death.