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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 49:12 But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/49-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/19_Psa_049_012.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 49:12 - The Evanescence of Wealth" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/49-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/49-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/49.htm">Chapter 49</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/49-11.htm" title="Psalm 49:11">◄</a> Psalm 49:12 <a href="/psalms/49-13.htm" title="Psalm 49:13">►</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="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </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 />People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/49.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />but their fame will not last. They will die, just like animals.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/49.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/49.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/49.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless man <i>being</i> in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts <i>that</i> perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/49.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Nevertheless man, <i>though</i> in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts <i>that</i> perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/49.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But man in <i>his</i> splendor will not endure; He is like the animals that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/49.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But man in his pomp will not endure; He is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/49.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But man in <i>his</i> pomp will not endure; He is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/49.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But man in <i>his</i> honor will not endure; He is like the animals that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/49.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But man, with all his [self] honor <i>and</i> pomp, will not endure; He is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/49.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But despite his assets, mankind will not last; he is like the animals that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/49.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But despite his assets, man will not last; he is like the animals that perish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/49.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But man being in honor abideth not: He is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/49.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Our human glory disappears, and, like animals, we die. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/49.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But man abideth not in honour: he is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/49.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But mortals will not continue here with what they treasure. They are like animals that die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/49.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Our greatness cannot keep us from death; we will still die like the animals. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/49.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But humanity cannot last, despite its conceit; it will pass away just like the animals. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/49.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/49.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />but, despite their wealth, people do not last, they are like animals that perish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/49.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But man, despite his riches, doesn't endure. He is like the animals that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/49.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Nevertheless man being in honor abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/49.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But man, despite his riches, doesn’t endure. He is like the animals that perish. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/49.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And man does not remain in honor, "" He has been like the beasts, they have been cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/49.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And man in honour doth not remain, He hath been like the beasts, they have been cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/49.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And man shall not abide in honor, being like as the beasts they perished.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/49.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And man when he was in honour did not understand; he is compared to senseless beasts, and is become like to them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/49.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 48:13>And man, when he was held in honor, did not understand. He has been compared to the senseless beasts, and he has become like them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/49.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />—but man does not abide in splendor. He is like the beasts—they perish. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/49.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Mortals cannot abide in their pomp; they are like the animals that perish.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/49.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless, such a man is not sustained by his honour; his end will be as the beasts, and he will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/49.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A man is not sustained in his honor, but ends up an animal, and resembles one.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/49.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But man abideth not in honour; He is like the beasts that perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/49.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And man being in honour, understands not: he is compared to the senseless cattle, and is like to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/49-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=5789" 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">11</span>Their graves are their eternal homes—their dwellings for endless generations—even though their lands were their namesakes. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: wə·’ā·ḏām (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">But a man,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3366.htm" title="3366: bî·qār (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Preciousness, price, honor. From yaqar; value, i.e. wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity.">despite his wealth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1077.htm" title="1077: bal- (Adv) -- Not. From balah; properly, a failure; by implication nothing; usually not at all; also lest.">cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/3885.htm" title="3885: yā·lîn (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- Or liyn; a primitive root; to stop; by implication, to stay permanently; hence to be obstinate.">endure;</a> <a href="/hebrew/4911.htm" title="4911: nim·šal (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- Denominative from mashal; to liken, i.e. to use figurative language; intransitively, to resemble.">he is like</a> <a href="/hebrew/929.htm" title="929: kab·bə·hê·mō·wṯ (Prep-k, Art:: N-fp) -- A beast, animal, cattle. From an unused root; properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal.">the beasts</a> <a href="/hebrew/1820.htm" title="1820: niḏ·mū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to be dumb or silent; hence, to fail or perish; trans. To destroy.">that perish.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>This is the fate of the self-confident and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah…<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="/ecclesiastes/3-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:19-20</a></span><br />For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile. / All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-16.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:16</a></span><br />For there is no lasting remembrance of the wise, just as with the fool, seeing that both will be forgotten in the days to come. Alas, the wise man will die just like the fool!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-15.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:15</a></span><br />As a man came from his mother’s womb, so he will depart again, naked as he arrived. He takes nothing for his labor to carry in his hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/14-2.htm">Job 14:2</a></span><br />Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/21-26.htm">Job 21:26</a></span><br />But together they lie down in the dust, and worms cover them both.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5-6</a></span><br />You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/82-7.htm">Psalm 82:7</a></span><br />But like mortals you will die, and like rulers you will fall.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-8</a></span><br />A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-12.htm">Isaiah 51:12</a></span><br />“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,<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="/1_timothy/6-7.htm">1 Timothy 6:7</a></span><br />For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20-21</a></span><br />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?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”<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.<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?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Nevertheless man being in honor stays not: he is like the beasts that perish.</p><p class="hdg">in honour</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">Psalm 49:20</a></b></br> Man <i>that is</i> in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts <i>that</i> perish.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5</a></b></br> Behold, thou hast made my days <i>as</i> an handbreadth; and mine age <i>is</i> as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state <i>is</i> altogether vanity. Selah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/82-7.htm">Psalm 82:7</a></b></br> But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.</p><p class="hdg">abideth.</p><p class="hdg">beasts</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:18-21</a></b></br> I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:12</a></b></br> For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so <i>are</i> the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/37-27.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/psalms/9-7.htm">Abideth</a> <a href="/psalms/8-7.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/psalms/40-6.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/psalms/46-9.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/psalms/33-17.htm">Despite</a> <a href="/psalms/49-10.htm">End</a> <a href="/psalms/49-11.htm">Endure</a> <a href="/psalms/45-11.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/psalms/45-11.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/psalms/31-22.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/psalms/49-10.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/esther/1-4.htm">Pomp</a> <a href="/psalms/49-6.htm">Riches</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/psalms/55-19.htm">Abideth</a> <a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/psalms/78-32.htm">Despite</a> <a href="/psalms/49-13.htm">End</a> <a href="/psalms/55-12.htm">Endure</a> <a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/psalms/49-16.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/psalms/73-23.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">Pomp</a> <a href="/psalms/49-20.htm">Riches</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 /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/49.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/49.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure;</b><br>This phrase highlights the transient nature of human life, regardless of material wealth. In biblical context, wealth is often seen as a temporary and unreliable source of security (<a href="/proverbs/11-4.htm">Proverbs 11:4</a>). The Bible consistently teaches that earthly riches cannot prevent death or secure eternal life (<a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>). The futility of relying on wealth is a recurring theme, as seen in the parable of the rich fool (<a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Luke 12:16-21</a>), where Jesus warns against storing up treasures on earth without being rich toward God. This phrase serves as a reminder of the limitations of human power and the inevitability of mortality.<p><b>he is like the beasts that perish.</b><br>This comparison underscores the common fate of all living creatures—death. In <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:19-20</a>, Solomon reflects on the shared destiny of humans and animals, emphasizing that both return to dust. The imagery of perishing like beasts suggests the humbling reality that, without God, human life lacks eternal significance. This phrase also points to the need for a relationship with God, who offers eternal life through Jesus Christ (<a href="/john/3-16.htm">John 3:16</a>). The mortality of humans, akin to animals, serves as a call to seek wisdom and understanding from God, who alone grants life beyond the grave.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sons_of_korah.htm">The Sons of Korah</a></b><br>The authors of <a href="/bsb/psalms/49.htm">Psalm 49</a>, a group of Levitical singers and musicians in the temple, known for their wisdom literature and reflections on life and death.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wealthy_man.htm">The Wealthy Man</a></b><br>Represents individuals who place their trust in material wealth and earthly status, a central figure in this Psalm's teaching.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_beasts.htm">The Beasts</a></b><br>Symbolic of mortality and the inevitability of death, used to illustrate the fate of those who rely solely on worldly riches.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_illusion_of_security_in_wealth.htm">The Illusion of Security in Wealth</a></b><br>Wealth can create a false sense of security, but it cannot prevent death or secure eternal life. True security is found in God alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_equality_of_mortality.htm">The Equality of Mortality</a></b><br>Regardless of social status or wealth, all humans face the same end. This should humble us and remind us of our dependence on God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_eternal_perspective.htm">The Call to Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to focus on eternal values and invest in spiritual riches that endure beyond this life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_idolatry.htm">The Danger of Idolatry</a></b><br>Placing trust in wealth can become a form of idolatry, diverting our devotion from God. We must guard our hearts against this temptation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_with_purpose.htm">Living with Purpose</a></b><br>Understanding the temporary nature of life should motivate us to live purposefully, seeking to fulfill God's will and serve others.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_49.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 49</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_49_12_contradict_soul_immortality.htm">Psalm 49:12 likens humans to animals in their mortality—does this contradict the doctrine of an immortal soul seen elsewhere in Scripture? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/rich_and_poor__what_after_death.htm">What happens to the rich and poor after death?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/gain_world,_lose_soul__worth_it.htm">What does it profit to gain the world but lose your soul?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_psalm_49_7_align_with_jesus'_ransom.htm">In Psalm 49:7, it states no one can redeem another--how does this align with later claims that Jesus pays humanity's ransom?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/49.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Abideth</span> <span class= "bld">not.</span>--This verse gives the kernel and the thought of, as it also serves as a refrain to, the poem, thus vindicating the claim of a lyric tone for this didactic psalm. The reading of the LXX. and Vulg. ("without understanding" instead of "abideth not"), which brings <a href="/psalms/49-12.htm" title="Nevertheless man being in honor stays not: he is like the beasts that perish.">Psalm 49:12</a> into exact correspondence with <a href="/psalms/49-20.htm" title="Man that is in honor, and understands not, is like the beasts that perish.">Psalm 49:20</a>, is unquestionably to be adopted. The present text could not really express <span class= "ital">permanence, </span>the Hebrew verb meaning to <span class= "ital">lodge temporarily.</span><p>The next verse, too, is hardly intelligible, unless we read here--<p>"Man, though in honour, without understanding,<p>Is like the beasts; they perish."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/49.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not</span>. Against these" inward thoughts" and outward actions, the psalmist simply maintains the ground already taken (ver. 10): "Man, in whatever honour he may be, abideth not" - has but a short time to live. He is like the beasts that perish. He has no more continuance than many of the beasts; like them, he passes from earth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/49-12.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">But a man,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאָדָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">despite his wealth,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּ֭יקָר</span> <span class="translit">(bî·qār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3366.htm">Strong's 3366: </a> </span><span class="str2">Value, wealth, costliness, dignity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּל־</span> <span class="translit">(bal-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1077.htm">Strong's 1077: </a> </span><span class="str2">A failure, nothing, not at all, lest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">endure;</span><br /><span class="heb">יָלִ֑ין</span> <span class="translit">(yā·lîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3885.htm">Strong's 3885: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stop, to stay permanently, to be obstinate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he is like</span><br /><span class="heb">נִמְשַׁ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(nim·šal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4911.htm">Strong's 4911: </a> </span><span class="str2">To liken, to use, language, in, to resemble</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the beasts</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּבְּהֵמ֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(kab·bə·hê·mō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that perish.</span><br /><span class="heb">נִדְמֽוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(niḏ·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1820.htm">Strong's 1820: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be dumb, silent, to fail, perish, trans, to destroy</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 49:12 But man despite his riches doesn't endure (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/49-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 49:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 49:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/49-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 49:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 49:13" /></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>