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Day 88

Psalm 49:14a "Like sheep they are laid in a grave..."

Day 88 – Psalm 49

“Like sheep they are laid in a grave…” Psalm 49:14a

GRIM PICTURE OF DEATH

Writers of Wisdom Literature are committed to imparting deep and relevant truth. Often they engage in using illustrations that are sometimes startling and grim.

“Like sheep they are laid in the grave;
Death shall feed on them;
The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning;
And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave,
far from their dwelling.”
Psalm 49:14

1. Like sheep

a) Sheep may be sold as food.
b) Should they die because of illness… they are buried.

2. The wealthy

a) They are compared to humble sheep.
b) They are laid in the grave too.
c) Death feeds on them.

3. Their beauty

a) A reference to the days when they had everything wealth could purchase.
b) Beauty products are not a modern day invention.
c) Many were conscious of their “beauty” and would go to great lengths to maintain or prolong their beauty.
d) Ultimately, all efforts are in vain and beauty is destroyed at death.
e) They are buried as all the dead are buried… “far from their dwelling”.

4. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning

The Lord’s blessing is on the upright. They shall truly inherit the earth (Psalm 37:11). The upright does not need to fret when people become wealthy (Psalm 37:1-11).