Psalm 49:8
the ransom for a life is costly,
no payment is ever enough (NIV)
Today’s Reading: Psalm 49
Psalm 49 reads more like a Proverb than a psalm. Written by the sons of Korah, it contains lots of wisdom and memorable lines. The theme of the psalm is that money won’t save you – only Jesus can redeem you from your sins. However, we will focus our attention on verses seven through nine to begin.
These three verses call our attention to the concept of redemption. If you recall in our study from February 6, we discussed the concept of redemption. God instutued this concept during the Passover in Egypt. The basic concept is that every firstborn of both animals and humans is to be given in service to God. Every “first” belongs to God.
On the night of the first Passover, every firstborn of both animals and man were sentenced to death. Every firstborn of the Egyptians died. Every firstborn of the Israelites were spared. Through this event, God demonstrated for the Israelites that the firstborn are His. And from that point forward, God would demand either the sacrifice or the redemption of the firstborn. There was no third option.
Psalm 49 reminds us that our redemption is costly. Too expensive in fact. No payment is enough. We are not capable of redeeming ourselves. Only a spotless, perfect human being could be sacrificed for our redemption. And since that person doesn’t exist for all of us have sinned (Rom 3:23), Jesus became that man for us. “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21).
Paul wrote extensively about this concept of redemption in Romans chapter three. His argument is filled with quotes from the psalms in that chapter. He explains that since we have no ability to save ourselves, we are all on the same level – in need of a savior. That savior came for all of us and freely died to redeem us back to God. Now “this righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Rom 3:22). Then he asks, “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded” (Rom 3:27).
This brings us back to Psalm 49. The psalmist explains:
“This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
They are like sheep and are destined to die” (vs 13-14).
We cannot save ourselves. Despite what the world around us says, we cannot trust in ourselves. “For all can see that the wise die, that the foolish and the senseless also perish, leaving their wealth to others” (vs 10). Our wisdom can’t save us. Our money can’t save us. Our power can’t save us. Only Jesus can save us. He is the one who would “not see decay” (vs 9).
So be encouraged today by this psalm. Don’t be overawed when those around you grow rich (vs 16). “Their splendor will not descend with them.” But also take this as a warning to ourselves. People will praise you when you prosper (vs 18). But don’t be a fool. You can’t take it with you when you go. Only Jesus can save you. And only the relationships you build on earth will follow you into eternity.
Christ in the Old Testament 
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