Riddle of Life

[Ps. 49:12] Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
[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.
12, and 20 Twice repeated refrain with similar, but not identical, words, not only divided the psalm into two major parts: Introduction V. 1-4; first section V. 5-12; second section V. 13-20, but also introduces what appears to be an unexpectedly pessimistic statement comparing human death to that of beast! Thus the riddle in v. 4 that the psalm introduces is not the Samson type of riddle, but the riddle of life itself. What is the relationship of life to death? And is human life and death different in any significant way from that of animals?
The psalmist was in the midst of some grave situation. In such times of despair, it was and still is all too easy to compare one’s own desperate situation with the wicked’s luxurious success. In the sense death was the greater leveler of all life, whether it was animal or human life.
Understanding that OT wisdom literature expresses the opposite value of those who trust in themselves, namely, the fear of G-d that was the beginning of knowledge (1:7). It was also that which made possible the elimination of two possible fears found in this psalm; the fear of one’s enemies in times of affliction (v. 5) and the fear of the advantage of wealth in the face of death (v. 16-19).
Verse 15 is the most reassuring truth in this psalm. The psalmist’s had a confidence which money cannot purchase. He knew the grave would not seal his doom and end his hope of any more life; it could only be the place from which G-d would rescue him and redeem him, for G-d will step in and ransom those who fear Him from the power of death and the grave. G-d will take or receive those who so believe in Him, to Himself. This clearly says that all believers will be resurrected and defeat death. This is a hope which exceeds any that even the rich and the mightily possess.
Those in position of honor and wealth can be so brutish in their thinking and living that they may as well be animals. They are without understanding, it is for this reason that the psalm calls for all people to listen and to find understanding unless, and they wish to be like the beast and brutes without understanding. In their death they too will be like the beasts; they will perish.
The lesson of the riddle is clear: Do not trust in yourself or your riches to save you or to give eternal life; only G-d can ransom you from the grave and take you to Himself!