For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that all the "glory" a person accumulates—their prestige, possessions, and status—is utterly temporary. It won't accompany them beyond the grave, underscoring that true value lies not in earthly accolades but in something that death cannot touch.
For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist has been contrasting the temporary prosperity of the wicked with the ultimate fate that awaits them, urging listeners not to fear or envy them. This verse reinforces that crucial point by declaring that all the wealth and prestige the proud boast of will vanish upon death, leaving them stripped bare. The psalm then pivots to the hope of God's redemption for the faithful, standing in stark contrast to the godless person's inevitable, empty end.
Ever feel the urge to keep up with the Joneses, especially when they seem to have it all? This verse cuts through that envy with a stark reality check.
The Psalmist is talking about the rich and powerful, the ones who seem to have life figured out. They amass wealth, build grand houses, and bask in the admiration of others. But when death comes knocking, all of it evaporates.
Think about it:
If all our material achievements and worldly acclaim can't follow us, what can? This psalm hints at a wealth that death can't touch.
The Psalmist isn't just pointing out the futility of earthly riches; he's contrasting it with something enduring. While the ungodly bless their souls with worldly pleasures and are praised for their self-indulgence, true lasting value lies elsewhere.
Consider this:
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This passage echoes the sentiment that we come into the world with nothing and will leave with nothing, directly supporting the idea that earthly glory and possessions are temporary.
Ecclesiastes 5:15Similar to Psalms 49:17, this verse explicitly states that a rich person will take nothing of their toils away with them when they die, reinforcing the theme of the transience of wealth.
1 Timothy 6:7The Apostle Paul directly quotes or alludes to this concept, emphasizing that 'we brought nothing into this world, and we can carry nothing out,' making it a foundational principle for understanding our earthly possessions.
Luke 12:20Jesus' parable of the rich fool highlights the vanity of accumulating wealth for oneself without regard for God, as his possessions could not save him from death, mirroring the psalm's message.
poolePsalms 49:17: "For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him."
For as he will shortly die, so all his wealth, and power, and glory will die with him, and thou wilt have no cause either to envy or fear him.
expositorsPsalms 49:1-20: "To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:"
Psalm 49:1-20 THIS psalm touches the high-water mark of Old Testament faith in a future life; and in that respect, as well as in its application of that faith to alleviate the mystery of present inequalities and non-correspondence of desert with condition, is closely related to the noble Psalm 73:1-28 , with Which it has also several verbal identities. Bot…
The verse highlights that all the "glory" a person accumulates—their prestige, possessions, and status—is utterly temporary. It won't accompany them beyond the grave, underscoring that true value lies not in earthly accolades but in something that death cannot touch.
The psalmist has been contrasting the temporary prosperity of the wicked with the ultimate fate that awaits them, urging listeners not to fear or envy them. This verse reinforces that crucial point by declaring that all the wealth and prestige the proud boast of will vanish upon death, leaving them stripped bare. The psalm then pivots to the hope of God's redemption for the faithful, standing in stark contrast to the godless person's inevitable, empty end.
The psalmist has been contrasting the temporary prosperity of the wicked with the ultimate fate that awaits them, urging listeners not to fear or envy them. This verse reinforces that crucial point by declaring that all the wealth and prestige the proud boast of will vanish upon death, leaving them stripped bare. The psalm then pivots to the hope of God's redemption for the faithful, standing in stark contrast to the godless person's inevitable, empty end.
"For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him." — The verse highlights that all the "glory" a person accumulates—their prestige, possessions, and status—is utterly temporary. It won't accompany them beyond the grave, underscoring that true value lie…
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Last reviewed October 2026