Psalms 49:11
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
Original Language Analysis
קִרְבָּ֤ם
Their inward
H7130
קִרְבָּ֤ם
Their inward
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
בָּתֵּ֨ימוֹ׀
thought is that their houses
H1004
בָּתֵּ֨ימוֹ׀
thought is that their houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
2 of 10
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לְֽעוֹלָ֗ם
shall continue for ever
H5769
לְֽעוֹלָ֗ם
shall continue for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
מִ֭שְׁכְּנֹתָם
and their dwelling
H4908
מִ֭שְׁכְּנֹתָם
and their dwelling
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
4 of 10
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
וָדֹ֑ר
generations
H1755
וָדֹ֑ר
generations
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
5 of 10
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
וָדֹ֑ר
generations
H1755
וָדֹ֑ר
generations
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
קָֽרְא֥וּ
they call
H7121
קָֽרְא֥וּ
they call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
7 of 10
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
בִ֝שְׁמוֹתָ֗ם
after their own names
H8034
בִ֝שְׁמוֹתָ֗ם
after their own names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
8 of 10
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
Cross References
Genesis 4:17And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.Psalms 5:9For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.Psalms 64:6They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.Psalms 10:6He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.Ezekiel 38:10Thus saith the Lord GOD; It shall also come to pass, that at the same time shall things come into thy mind, and thou shalt think an evil thought:2 Samuel 18:18Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.
Historical Context
Ancient kings built monuments, named cities, and established dynasties to achieve immortality through memory. The psalm exposes this as futile self-deception that ignores actual mortality.
Questions for Reflection
- What are modern equivalents of 'calling lands after our own names'?
- How does the drive for legacy reveal our awareness of mortality?
Analysis & Commentary
The universal reality: 'Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever...they call their lands after their own names.' The wealthy imagine perpetuating their legacy through real estate and naming. Yet this very effort reveals awareness of mortality--why name land after yourself except to be remembered after death?