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Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture
plus an explanation with links

2015 March 22



Roman Shepherds Contemplating the Ruins of a Tomb (1816)
Achille Etna Michallon (1796-1822)
Neoclassical Style
Private Collection
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art


     Explanation: In Psalm 49 the Psalmist calls his readers to understand that neither riches nor power shall save the rich from everlasting death; but God will ransom those who cling to him from their sin and from the grave's destruction. Today's painting, which depicts shepherds contemplating a tomb, echoes verse 14 below, which says that death will feed on the wicked -- an alternate translation being, "death shall shepherd them."

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Psalm 23. WISDOM PSALMS. Psalm 1. Psalm 10. Psalm 12. Psalm 15. Psalm 19. Psalm 32. Psalm 34. Psalm 36. Psalm 37. Psalm 49. Psalm 50. Psalm 52. Psalm 53. Psalm 73. Psalm 78. Psalm 82. Psalm 91. Psalm 92. Psalm 94. Psalm 111. Psalm 112. Psalm 119. Psalm 127. Psalm 128. Psalm 133. Psalm 139. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 49 - #1. Psalm 49 - #2. Psalm 49 - #3. Psalm 49 - #4. ]

     The Psalmist calls all people of the world to hear and be wise (1-4). He asks why he should be afraid in that day that his sins catch up to him? He says that it is those who trust in their wealth who should be afraid. None of them can redeem the other; redemption is too precious to be purchased. Instead, they die and leave the wealth in which they trusted to others (5-10). They think that they will continue forever; but they are like beasts which perish. Their way is folly; yet their posterity approve their sayings (11-13). They lay down in the grave like sheep. Death feeds on them; (or, as some translate it, death is their shepherd. By contrast, the upright will have dominion over those who forget God. The wicked will be consumed, but God will redeem his people from the power of the grave and will receive them. This echoes the thoughts of Psalm 23, in which the LORD is the shepherd of his people who restores them and brings them to his house forever (14-15). So the righteous should not be afraid when the unrighteous become rich and glorious, because they will take nothing with them, not even their glory. Though they were commended by others, they will go to their fathers where they will never see the light. They will be like the beasts which perish (16-20).


THE PSALTER:

BOOK TWO OF FIVE:

Psalms 42-72.


Psalm 49

1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. [Transposed To Psalm 48] *


Hear this, all ye people; give ear,
all ye inhabitants of the world:
2 Both low and high,
rich and poor, together.
3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom;
and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
4 I will incline mine ear to a parable:
I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil,
when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
6 They that trust in their wealth,
and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother,
nor give to God a ransom for him:
8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious,
and it ceaseth for ever:)
9 That he should still live for ever,
and not see corruption.
10 For he seeth that wise men die,
likewise the fool and the brutish person perish,
and leave their wealth to others.

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.
12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not:
he is like the beasts that perish.
13 This their way is their folly:
yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.

14 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.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave:
for he shall receive me. Selah.

16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich,
when the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away:
his glory shall not descend after him.
18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul:
and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers;
they shall never see light.
20 Man that is in honour,
and understandeth not,
is like the beasts that perish.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]




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