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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 49:5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/49-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/19_Psa_049_005.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 49:5 - The Evanescence of Wealth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/49-4.htm" title="Psalm 49:4">◄</a> Psalm 49:5 <a href="/psalms/49-6.htm" title="Psalm 49:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/49.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/49.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/49.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/49.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/49.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/49.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, <i>when</i> the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/49.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Why should I fear in the days of evil, <i>When</i> the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/49.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the injustice of those who betray me surrounds me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/49.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/49.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/49.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Why should I fear in days of evil, When the iniquity of my supplanters surrounds me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/49.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the wickedness of those who would betray me surrounds me [on every side],<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/49.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why should I fear in times of trouble? The iniquity of my foes surrounds me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/49.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why should I fear in times of trouble? The iniquity of my foes surrounds me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/49.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, When iniquity at my heels compasseth me about?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/49.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when I am surrounded by vicious enemies? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/49.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels compasseth me about?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/49.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when slanderers surround me with evil?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/49.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I am not afraid in times of danger when I am surrounded by enemies, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/49.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Why should I be afraid when evil days come my way, when the wickedness of those who deceive me surrounds me—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/49.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/49.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when the sinful deeds of deceptive men threaten to overwhelm me? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/49.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of those who deceive me surrounds me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/49.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall encompass me?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/49.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Why should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels surrounds me? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/49.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do I fear in days of evil? The iniquity of my supplanters surrounds me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/49.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Why do I fear in days of evil? The iniquity of my supplanters doth compass me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/49.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore shall I fear in the days of evil, the iniquity of my heel shall surround me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/49.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Why shall I fear in the evil day? the iniquity of my heel shall encompass me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/49.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 48:6>Why should I fear in the evil day? The iniquity at my heel will surround me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/49.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why should I fear in evil days, with the iniquity of my assailants surrounding me, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/49.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/49.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I will fear not in days of evil, when the iniquity of my enemies shall surround me,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/49.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />I will not fear in the evil days; the evil of my enemies surrounds me:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/49.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity of my supplanters compasseth me about,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/49.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore should I fear in the evil day? the iniquity of my heel shall compass me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/49-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=5744" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/49.htm">The Evanescence of Wealth</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will express my riddle with the harp: <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/3372.htm" title="3372: ’î·rā (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten. A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten.">should I fear</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: bî·mê (Prep-b:: N-mpc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">in times</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">of trouble,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ă·wōn (N-csc) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">when wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/6119.htm" title="6119: ‘ă·qê·ḇay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Heel, footprint, hind part. Or hiqqbah; from aqab; a heel; hence, a track; figuratively, the rear.">usurpers</a> <a href="/hebrew/5437.htm" title="5437: yə·sū·bê·nî (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms:: 1cs) -- A primitive root; to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively.">surround me?</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>They trust in their wealth and boast in their great riches.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-4.htm">Proverbs 11:4</a></span><br />Riches are worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-26.htm">Matthew 16:26</a></span><br />What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-19.htm">Luke 12:19-20</a></span><br />Then I will say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take it easy. Eat, drink, and be merry!”’ / But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7-9</a></span><br />Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? / Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes. / Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-13.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:13-14</a></span><br />There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, / or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-17.htm">1 Timothy 6:17</a></span><br />Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-10.htm">James 1:10-11</a></span><br />But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. / For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/23-4.htm">Proverbs 23:4-5</a></span><br />Do not wear yourself out to get rich; be wise enough to restrain yourself. / When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/8-36.htm">Mark 8:36</a></span><br />What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/16-19.htm">Luke 16:19-31</a></span><br />Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor. / And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores / and longing to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/27-8.htm">Job 27:8-9</a></span><br />For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, when God takes away his life? / Will God hear his cry when distress comes upon him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:12-13</a></span><br />Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and still lives long, yet I also know that it will go well with those who fear God, who are reverent in His presence. / Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-15.htm">1 John 2:15-17</a></span><br />Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. / For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. / The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-23.htm">Jeremiah 9:23-24</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a></span><br />Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?</p><p class="hdg">Wherefore</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/27-1.htm">Psalm 27:1,2</a></b></br> <i>A Psalm</i> of David. The LORD <i>is</i> my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD <i>is</i> the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/46-1.htm">Psalm 46:1,2</a></b></br> To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God <i>is</i> our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10,11</a></b></br> Fear thou not; for I <i>am</i> with thee: be not dismayed; for I <i>am</i> thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness… </p><p class="hdg">days</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/24-10.htm">Proverbs 24:10</a></b></br> <i>If</i> thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength <i>is</i> small.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/amos/5-13.htm">Amos 5:13</a></b></br> Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it <i>is</i> an evil time.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/5-16.htm">Ephesians 5:16</a></b></br> Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.</p><p class="hdg">iniquity</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/38-4.htm">Psalm 38:4</a></b></br> For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/5-22.htm">Proverbs 5:22</a></b></br> His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/7-2.htm">Hosea 7:2</a></b></br> And they consider not in their hearts <i>that</i> I remember all their wickedness: now their own doings have beset them about; they are before my face.</p><p class="hdg">heels</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/22-16.htm">Proverbs 22:16</a></b></br> He that oppresseth the poor to increase his <i>riches, and</i> he that giveth to the rich, <i>shall</i> surely <i>come</i> to want.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/49-17.htm">Genesis 49:17</a></b></br> Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/26-20.htm">1 Samuel 26:20</a></b></br> Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the LORD: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/40-14.htm">Adversity</a> <a href="/psalms/46-2.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/psalms/48-12.htm">Compass</a> <a href="/psalms/32-10.htm">Compasseth</a> <a href="/2_john/1-7.htm">Deceivers</a> <a href="/psalms/44-15.htm">Downfall</a> <a href="/psalms/32-10.htm">Encompass</a> <a href="/psalms/45-7.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/37-8.htm">Evil-Doing</a> <a href="/psalms/48-6.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/psalms/44-7.htm">Foes</a> <a href="/job/18-11.htm">Heels</a> <a href="/psalms/41-6.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/psalms/31-15.htm">Persecutors</a> <a href="/psalms/40-12.htm">Surround</a> <a href="/psalms/32-10.htm">Surrounds</a> <a href="/psalms/44-8.htm">Times</a> <a href="/psalms/46-1.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/psalms/44-24.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/psalms/43-1.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/psalms/15-2.htm">Working</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/50-15.htm">Adversity</a> <a href="/psalms/50-8.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/psalms/118-10.htm">Compass</a> <a href="/psalms/73-6.htm">Compasseth</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-8.htm">Deceivers</a> <a href="/psalms/92-11.htm">Downfall</a> <a href="/psalms/140-9.htm">Encompass</a> <a href="/psalms/50-19.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/56-7.htm">Evil-Doing</a> <a href="/psalms/49-16.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/psalms/54-5.htm">Foes</a> <a href="/psalms/56-6.htm">Heels</a> <a href="/psalms/51-2.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/psalms/119-84.htm">Persecutors</a> <a href="/psalms/88-17.htm">Surround</a> <a href="/psalms/89-8.htm">Surrounds</a> <a href="/psalms/55-19.htm">Times</a> <a href="/psalms/50-15.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/psalms/79-10.htm">Wherefore</a> <a href="/psalms/50-16.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/psalms/51-4.htm">Working</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 49</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/49-1.htm">An earnest persuasion to build the faith of resurrection</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/49-16.htm">Worldly prosperity is not to be admired</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/psalms/49.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Why should I fear</b><br />The psalmist begins with a rhetorical question, challenging the natural human inclination towards fear. The Hebrew root for "fear" is "yare," which often implies a deep reverence or awe, but in this context, it refers to being afraid or anxious. The psalmist is encouraging a mindset of trust and confidence in God, rather than succumbing to fear. This reflects a consistent biblical theme where believers are called to trust in God's sovereignty and protection, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a>, "Do not fear, for I am with you."<p><b>in times of trouble</b><br />The phrase "times of trouble" refers to periods of distress or adversity. The Hebrew word "ra" is often used to describe evil or calamity. Historically, the Israelites faced numerous adversities, from foreign invasions to internal strife. This phrase reminds believers that troubles are a part of life, yet they are not to be feared because God is a refuge and strength, as echoed in <a href="/psalms/46.htm">Psalm 46:1</a>. The psalmist's question implies that faith should transcend the immediate circumstances of distress.<p><b>when wicked usurpers surround me</b><br />"Wicked usurpers" refers to those who are morally corrupt and seek to seize power or position unlawfully. The Hebrew word "avlah" can denote injustice or unrighteousness. In the historical context, Israel often faced threats from surrounding nations and internal corruption. The imagery of being "surrounded" suggests a sense of being besieged or overwhelmed. Yet, the psalmist's rhetorical question implies that even when encircled by such adversaries, there is no need for fear. This reflects the biblical assurance that God is a shield and protector, as seen in <a href="/psalms/3-3.htm">Psalm 3:3</a>, "But You, O LORD, are a shield around me."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/49.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Should I fear?</span>--Here the problem is stated not in a <span class= "ital">speculative, </span>but <span class= "ital">personal </span>form. The poet himself <span class= "ital">feels </span>the pressure of this riddle of life.<p><span class= "bld">When the iniquity of my heels.</span>--The Authorised Version seems to take "heels" in the sense of footsteps, as Symmachus does, and "when the evil of my course entangles me," is good sense, but not in agreement with the context. Render rather, <span class= "ital">when iniquity dogs me at the heels, i.e., </span>when wicked and prosperous men pursue him with malice. This is more natural than to give the word <span class= "ital">heel </span>the derived term of <span class= "ital">supplanter; </span>the sense, too, is the same. There is no direct reference to <a href="/genesis/3-15.htm" title="And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.">Genesis 3:15</a>, though possibly the figure of the <span class= "ital">heel </span>as a vulnerable part, and of wickedness lying like a snake in the path, may have occurred to the poet. The Syriac, however, suggests a different reading, "malice of my oppressors."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/49.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 5-15.</span> - The prelude, or introduction, being over, the substance of the "dark saying" is now brought forth. The problem is propounded. On the one hand are the righteous, fallen upon evil days, surrounded by treacherous foes, ever on the watch to do them a mischief (ver. 5); on the other are the wicked, "trusting in their wealth, and boasting themselves in the multitude of their riches" (ver. 6), so opulent that they build houses which they expect to "continue for ever" and proprietors on such a scale that their lands are "called after their names" (ver. 11); and both parties equally short-lived, soon swept away from earth (vers. 10, 12). How is it that God allows all this, and how is man to reconcile himself to it? Simply by two reflections - one, that for the wicked, who have their portion in this life, there is no hope of happiness after death (vers. 14, 17); and the other that "God will redeem the righteous from the power of the grave, and will receive them" (ver. 15). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil?</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> have I reason to fear, or may I trust in God's protection? Are, or are not, the righteous under his care? <span class="cmt_word">When</span> <span class="cmt_word">the iniquity of my</span> heels; rather, <span class="accented">of my supplanters</span> - of those that would trip me up. <span class="cmt_word">Shall compass me about</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> surround me, lie in wait for me on every side (comp. <a href="/psalms/17-10.htm">Psalm 17:10-12</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/49-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֣מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">should I fear</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֭ירָא</span> <span class="translit">(’î·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in times</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּ֣ימֵי</span> <span class="translit">(bî·mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of trouble,</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֑ע</span> <span class="translit">(rā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when wicked</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲוֺ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·wōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">usurpers</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲקֵבַ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·qê·ḇay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6120.htm">Strong's 6120: </a> </span><span class="str2">A lier in wait</span><br /><br /><span class="word">surround me?</span><br /><span class="heb">יְסוּבֵּֽנִי׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·sū·bê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5437.htm">Strong's 5437: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn about, go around, surround</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/49-5.htm">Psalm 49:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/49-5.htm">Psalm 49:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/49-5.htm">Psalm 49:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/49-5.htm">Psalm 49:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/49-5.htm">Psalm 49:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/49-5.htm">Psalm 49:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/49-5.htm">Psalm 49:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/49-5.htm">Psalm 49:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/49-5.htm">Psalm 49:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/49-5.htm">Psalm 49:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/49-5.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 49:5 Why should I fear in the days (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/49-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 49:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 49:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/49-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 49:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 49:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>