They that trust in their wealth, &c.— Some translate it, Confident men boast themselves in their wealth, and in the multitude of their riches: Psalms 49:7. One cannot by any means redeem the other, nor afford any ransom to God for him: Psalms 49:8. For it is of high price to purchase any one's life, that he should subsist for ever. Mr. Mudge's version of this passage is, Psalms 49:6. They that trust on their substance, and boast in the abundance of their riches; Psalms 49:7. Not one can, in truth, redeem his brother, nor give to God his ransom: Psalms 49:8. (For the ransom of their life is of too high a value, and he is extinct for ever;) Psalms 49:9. So that he should live on continually, and not see the pit. Houbigant renders the 8th and 9th verses thus: Psalms 49:8. For the redemption of their soul is precious: Psalms 49:9. But he who ceaseth in this world, shall yet live; though he see the pit, he shall not see it for ever. This he supposes to contain the parable or dark saying mentioned in the 4th verse; and the Psalmist, says he, on account of this hope of immortality set before man, condemns him for his inattention to this immortality, for limiting all his hopes to the present state of existence, and so becoming like the beasts that perish.

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