Psalm 49:6-7
‘Why should I fear in the days of evil?… They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches — none of them can by any means redeem his brother! Nor give to God a Ransom for him! For the redemption of their soul is too precious, and it ceases (or continues) for ever — so that he should still live for ever, and not see corruption!’ Psalm 49:6-9.
Calvin comments: “The people of God must not yield to despondency, even in the most distressing circumstance when their enemies may seem to have enclosed them on every side — but must rest assured that God…is awake to their condition….
“Should I fear in the days of evil…, when the hour of my death comes?” No! “The Psalmist…intimates that he would not fear, though crafty and treacherous men laid snares for him…. He would have no fear when his enemies surrounded him — and in pursuing him, trod as it were upon his heel….
“‘They trust in their wealth!’… Any boasted power which they possess, is fleeting and evanescent…. It were as reasonable to startle at a shadow or a spectre!…
“None can redeem the life of another…. Their conduct is nothing less than insanity. Some read: ‘A man shall not be able to redeem his brother’ — which amounts to the same meaning….
“‘None can give a price to God for the Ransom of another!’…. He adverts to the truth that men’s lives are absolutely at the disposal of God, and that they never can be extended by any human arrangement one moment beyond the period which God has fixed.
“He enforces the same lesson in the verse which follows, where he states that ‘the redemption of their soul is precious’…. The Psalmist would assert that no man can hope to purchase an immortality either for himself or others in this world.”.
‘The redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceases for ever’ (Psalm 49:8). “I have rendered the close of verse 8: ‘And their continuance for ever’…. The words in verse 9, ‘That he should still live for ever,’ more fully express the truth.”
Calvin also adds in his Institutes II:10:17: “Where…is the great stability of the saints who…are not only disturbed but everywhere utterly bruised and oppressed?…. ‘They that trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches — none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a Ransom for him!’…. Psalm 49:6-7.”
No! For only Christ, Who never boasted about the multitude of His riches but instead became poor for our sakes, could redeem His brother and give Himself for him as a Ransom to God!
None of the greedy can ever redeem his brother! But Christ the Ransom came, and did!
