Ps. xlix. 13. This their way is their folly : yet their jyos- terity approve their sayings.
IT is generally supposed that wisdom pertains chiefly, if not exclusively, to those who are profi- cients in arts and science : but learning and wisdom are by no means necessarily connected with each other: they may exist separately, each in a high degree : and, in fact, there is nothing more common than to behold persons of the most extensive eru- dition acting the part of fools in God's sight, whilst persons destitute of all human acquirements are '' walking wisely before him in a perfect way." Wisdom, properly viewed, is a conformity of the mind and will to the mind and will of God ; and it
Sn PSALMS, XLIX. 13. [582.
exists precisely in proportion as this conformity exists : the resemblance is wisdom, the deviation folly. Hence we see why David, at the commence- ment of this psalm, calls, in so solemn a manner, persons of every age and quality to attend to his instructions ; and professes to teach them lessons of the profoundest wisdom, when there is not any thing recondite, or any thing uncommon, in the whole psalm. The truths contained in this divine ode are level with every capacity, and therefore might seem to be improperly ushered in with so pompous an introduction : but they are at the root of all practical religion ; and they draw a broad line of distinction between those who are wise, and those who are unwise, in the estimation of their God.
The whole subject of the psalm will come properly before us, whilst we consider,
I. The way of worldly men —
It may naturally be expected, that '' they who are of the world, should speak of the world," and seek it as their most desired portion: and they are described as doing so in the psalm before us.
They are altogether engrossed with earthly things — [Worldly distinction is the one object of their ambition. For this end chiefly both wealth and honour are pursued*. Having attained these things in a considerable degree, they bless themselves, as possessing somewhat wherein they may trust ^, somewhat that will make them happy for a long time to come, and somewhat that shall transmit their names to posterity as worthy of admiration'^ ]
But "this their way is their folly" — [Wealth and honour are far from affording the satisfaction that is expected from them : they will not ward off" sickness and death, either from ourselves or others'^: nor can they follow us into the eternal world '^. The moment we die, as very speedily we all must^, nothing of them remains to us but the fearful responsibility attached to the possession of them. Instead of " profiting us in the day of wrath," they will rather augment our final condemnation, if they have not been im- proved for God as talents committed to us. In the parable of
a ver. 18. ^ ver. 6. <= vet. 11.
d ver. 7 — 10. e ver. 17. ^ ver. 12, 14.