Psalms 49:14

Authorized King James Version

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Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

Original Language Analysis

כַּצֹּ֤אן׀ Like sheep H6629
כַּצֹּ֤אן׀ Like sheep
Strong's: H6629
Word #: 1 of 14
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
שְׁא֗וֹל in the grave H7585
שְׁא֗וֹל in the grave
Strong's: H7585
Word #: 2 of 14
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
שַׁתּוּ֮ they are laid H8371
שַׁתּוּ֮ they are laid
Strong's: H8371
Word #: 3 of 14
to place, i.e., array; reflex. to lie
מָ֤וֶת death H4194
מָ֤וֶת death
Strong's: H4194
Word #: 4 of 14
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
יִ֫רְעֵ֥ם shall feed H7462
יִ֫רְעֵ֥ם shall feed
Strong's: H7462
Word #: 5 of 14
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
וַיִּרְדּ֘וּ shall have dominion H7287
וַיִּרְדּ֘וּ shall have dominion
Strong's: H7287
Word #: 6 of 14
to tread down, i.e., subjugate; specifically, to crumble off
בָ֤ם H0
בָ֤ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 7 of 14
יְשָׁרִ֨ים׀ on them and the upright H3477
יְשָׁרִ֨ים׀ on them and the upright
Strong's: H3477
Word #: 8 of 14
straight (literally or figuratively)
לַבֹּ֗קֶר over them in the morning H1242
לַבֹּ֗קֶר over them in the morning
Strong's: H1242
Word #: 9 of 14
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וְ֭ציּרָם H6736
וְ֭ציּרָם
Strong's: H6736
Word #: 10 of 14
a form (of beauty; as if pressed out, i.e., carved); hence, an (idolatrous) image
לְבַלּ֥וֹת shall consume H1086
לְבַלּ֥וֹת shall consume
Strong's: H1086
Word #: 11 of 14
to fail; by implication to wear out, decay (causatively, consume, spend)
שְׁא֗וֹל in the grave H7585
שְׁא֗וֹל in the grave
Strong's: H7585
Word #: 12 of 14
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
מִזְּבֻ֥ל from their dwelling H2073
מִזְּבֻ֥ל from their dwelling
Strong's: H2073
Word #: 13 of 14
a residence
לֽוֹ׃ H0
לֽוֹ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 14 of 14

Analysis & Commentary

The grim imagery: 'Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them.' The wealthy who thought themselves masters become death's flock, herded into Sheol. 'The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning'--resurrection reverses present inequities. Death feeds on those who fed on luxury.

Historical Context

The 'morning' likely refers to the day of resurrection when God's judgment reverses earthly fortunes. The wicked's current dominion ends; the upright receive dominion from God.

Questions for Reflection