Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. New Living Translation Like sheep, they are led to the grave, where death will be their shepherd. In the morning the godly will rule over them. Their bodies will rot in the grave, far from their grand estates. English Standard Version Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. Berean Standard Bible Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. Berean Literal Bible like sheep they are appointed for Sheol, and death will be their shepherd; the upright will rule over them in the morning, and their form shall be consumed in Sheol—the habitation for him. King James Bible Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. New King James Version Like sheep they are laid in the grave; Death shall feed on them; The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. New American Standard Bible Like sheep they sink down to Sheol; Death will be their shepherd; And the upright will rule over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol to consume So that they have no lofty home. NASB 1995 As sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the upright shall rule over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol to consume So that they have no habitation. NASB 1977 As sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the upright shall rule over them in the morning; And their form shall be for Sheol to consume, So that they have no habitation. Legacy Standard Bible As sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death will shepherd them; And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol to consume, Far away from his habitation. Amplified Bible Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead); Death will be their shepherd; And the upright shall rule over them in the morning, And their form and beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, So that they have no dwelling [on earth]. Berean Annotated Bible Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. Christian Standard Bible Like sheep they are headed for Sheol; Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule over them in the morning, and their form will waste away in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. Holman Christian Standard Bible Like sheep they are headed for Sheol; Death will shepherd them. The upright will rule over them in the morning, and their form will waste away in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. American Standard Version They are appointed as a flock for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, That there be no habitation for it. Contemporary English Version They are like sheep with death as their shepherd, leading them to the grave. In the morning God's people will walk all over them, as their bodies lie rotting in their home, the grave. English Revised Version They are appointed as a flock for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd: and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall be for Sheol to consume, that there be no habitation for it. GOD'S WORD® Translation Like sheep, they are driven to hell with death as their shepherd. (Decent people will rule them in the morning.) Their forms will decay in the grave, far away from their comfortable homes. Good News Translation they are doomed to die like sheep, and Death will be their shepherd. The righteous will triumph over them, as their bodies quickly decay in the world of the dead far from their homes. International Standard Version Like sheep, they are destined for the realm of the dead, with death as their shepherd. The upright will have dominion over them in the morning; their strength will be consumed in the afterlife, so that they have no home. NET Bible They will travel to Sheol like sheep, with death as their shepherd. The godly will rule over them when the day of vindication dawns; Sheol will consume their bodies and they will no longer live in impressive houses. New Heart English Bible They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, far from their mansion. Webster's Bible Translation Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleLike sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. World English Bible They are appointed as a flock for Sheol. Death shall be their shepherd. The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. Their beauty shall decay in Sheol, far from their mansion. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThey have set themselves as sheep for Sheol, "" Death afflicts them, "" And the upright rule over them in the morning, "" And their form [is] for consumption. Sheol [is] a dwelling for him. Berean Literal Bible like sheep they are appointed for Sheol, and death will be their shepherd; the upright will rule over them in the morning, and their form shall be consumed in Sheol—the habitation for him. Young's Literal Translation As sheep for Sheol they have set themselves, Death doth afflict them, And the upright rule over them in the morning, And their form is for consumption. Sheol is a dwelling for him. Smith's Literal Translation As sheep they were laid in hades; death shall rule over them, and the upright shall come down upon them in the morning; and their rock for falling away in hades from a dwelling to him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThey are laid in hell like sheep: death shall feed upon them. And the just shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their help shall decay in hell from their glory. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Like a herd of sheep they will be put into Sheol, and Death will shepherd them. Straight to the grave they descend, where their form will waste away, Sheol will be their palace. New Revised Standard Version Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend, and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleLike sheep they are consigned to the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; the grave shall consume their beauty, and they shall be cast out from their glory. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated They will be given up to Sheol and death will feed on them, and the upright will rule over them in the morning, and Sheol will consume their form and they shall be cast out from their glory. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Like sheep they are appointed for the nether-world; Death shall be their shepherd; And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their form shall be for the nether-world to wear away, That there be no habitation for it. Brenton Septuagint Translation They have laid them as sheep in Hades; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning, and their help shall fail in Hades from their glory. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Evanescence of Wealth…13This is the fate of the self-confident and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah 14Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. 15But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah… Cross References Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Psalm 44:22 Yet for Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. Job 21:13 They spend their days in prosperity and go down to Sheol in peace. Proverbs 5:5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. Romans 5:14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come. Hebrews 2:14 Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, Revelation 6:8 Then I looked and saw a pale green horse. Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed close behind. And they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill by sword, by famine, by plague, and by the beasts of the earth. The upright will rule them in the morning, Daniel 7:18 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.’ 1 Corinthians 6:2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Revelation 2:26-27 And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations. / He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery—just as I have received authority from My Father. and their form will decay in Sheol, Job 17:13-16 If I look for Sheol as my home, if I spread out my bed in darkness, / and say to corruption, ‘You are my father,’ and to the worm, ‘My mother,’ or ‘My sister,’ / where then is my hope? Who can see any hope for me? … Psalm 16:10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. Acts 2:31 Foreseeing this, David spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did His body see decay. far from their lofty abode. Isaiah 14:13-15 You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” / But you will be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. Obadiah 1:3-4 The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ / Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD. Job 20:6-7 Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, and his head touches the clouds, / he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’ Ecclesiastes 3:19-20 For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile. / All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust. Treasury of Scripture Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. Like Psalm 44:11 Thou hast given us like sheep appointed for meat; and hast scattered us among the heathen. Jeremiah 12:3 But thou, O LORD, knowest me: thou hast seen me, and tried mine heart toward thee: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. they Job 17:13,14 If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness… Job 21:13,26 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave… Job 30:23 For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. death Job 24:19,20 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned… upright Psalm 47:3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. Daniel 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. Malachi 4:3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. morning Psalm 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Hosea 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. their Psalm 39:11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah. Job 4:21 Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom. Jump to Previous Appointed Beauty Consume Death Decay Descend Destined Dominion Dwelling Far Fate Feed Flesh Flock Form Forms Grave Habitation Home Laid Morning Nether-World Princely Resting-Place Rule Sheep Sheol Shepherd Straight Themselves Underworld Upright Waste Wasted WearJump to Next Appointed Beauty Consume Death Decay Descend Destined Dominion Dwelling Far Fate Feed Flesh Flock Form Forms Grave Habitation Home Laid Morning Nether-World Princely Resting-Place Rule Sheep Sheol Shepherd Straight Themselves Underworld Upright Waste Wasted WearPsalm 49 1. An earnest persuasion to build the faith of resurrection16. Worldly prosperity is not to be admired Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. This phrase draws a parallel between the fate of the wicked and sheep being led to slaughter, emphasizing their lack of awareness and control over their destiny. In biblical times, sheep were common livestock, often used as sacrificial animals, symbolizing innocence and vulnerability. Sheol, in Hebrew thought, is the realm of the dead, a shadowy place where all go after death, regardless of their moral standing. This reflects the inevitability of death for all humanity, a theme echoed in Ecclesiastes 3:19-20, where humans and animals share the same fate of returning to dust. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. Persons / Places / Events 1. SheepSymbolically represents people who are following a path without understanding, often used to describe those who are spiritually lost or misguided. 2. Sheol In Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and separation from the living, often associated with the grave or the afterlife. 3. Death Personified as a shepherd in this verse, indicating the inevitability of death guiding those who are not aligned with God’s will. 4. The Upright Refers to those who live righteously and in accordance with God’s commandments, who will ultimately triumph over the wicked. 5. Morning Symbolizes a new beginning or resurrection, representing the hope and victory of the righteous over death. Teaching Points The Inevitability of DeathRecognize that death is a certainty for all, but the path we choose in life determines our eternal destiny. The Role of Righteousness Living a life aligned with God’s will ensures that we are counted among the upright who will triumph over death. Hope in Resurrection The "morning" symbolizes the hope of resurrection and eternal life for those who are faithful to God. The Futility of Earthly Wealth and Status Earthly achievements and possessions cannot prevent the decay of the body in Sheol; only a relationship with God offers true security. Eternal Perspective Focus on living with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual growth and alignment with God’s purposes over temporary worldly gains. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 49:14?2. How does Psalm 49:14 highlight the fate of those who trust in wealth? 3. What does "death will shepherd them" imply about worldly reliance? 4. How can Psalm 49:14 deepen our understanding of Matthew 6:19-21? 5. In what ways can we prioritize spiritual wealth over material wealth today? 6. How does Psalm 49:14 encourage trust in God rather than earthly possessions? 7. What does Psalm 49:14 reveal about the fate of the wicked after death? 8. How does Psalm 49:14 challenge the belief in earthly wealth and power? 9. What is the significance of "Sheol" in Psalm 49:14? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 49? 11. Psalm 49:12 likens humans to animals in their mortality--does this contradict the doctrine of an immortal soul seen elsewhere in Scripture? 12. If Psalm 49:15 promises redemption from Sheol, what historical or archaeological evidence supports the Israelite belief in a personal resurrection at that time? 13. In Job 24:19-20, is the depiction of the grave consuming sinners consistent with or contradictory to other Old Testament views on divine judgment? 14. Does the emphasis on Sheol in Psalm 49 conflict with other biblical descriptions of the afterlife, creating internal inconsistencies? What Does Psalm 49:14 Mean Like sheep they are destined for SheolThe psalmist likens the self-confident wicked to a flock being herded toward the place of the dead. The image stresses helplessness—sheep cannot direct their own path. Those who trust in wealth and ignore God are on a fixed course toward judgment (Psalm 49:6–9; Luke 12:16–21). Just as sheep follow without resistance, so the proud follow worldly ambitions, unaware that their journey ends in Sheol. Death will be their shepherd Instead of the LORD as Shepherd (Psalm 23:1), death leads the ungodly. • Death “guides” every decision of those who live only for the present (Romans 6:23). • Their final guide is not caring, protective love but the inevitability of mortality and divine justice (Hebrews 9:27). They imagined themselves in control, yet death commands the last word over every earthly achievement (Ecclesiastes 2:18–19). The upright will rule them in the morning Morning pictures the dawning of God’s deliverance. When darkness lifts, the righteous—those redeemed by faith—share in Christ’s vindication (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 20:4). • God reverses positions: those who oppressed now serve, and those who trusted God now reign (Matthew 19:28–30). • This anticipates the resurrection morning when believers inherit the kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:2). and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode All that seemed solid—power, luxury, reputation—disintegrates in the grave (Job 21:23–26). • Physical bodies return to dust (Genesis 3:19). • Earthly homes, once “lofty,” provide no shelter from corruption (Psalm 39:6). • Separated “far” from former splendor, the godless discover that only a relationship with the eternal God endures (Matthew 6:19–21). summary Psalm 49:14 contrasts two destinies. Those who trust riches are herded like sheep to Sheol, led not by the Good Shepherd but by death itself. Their achievements crumble, and their grand homes cannot follow them. Yet a new morning is coming: God will raise and honor the upright, giving them enduring authority. The verse calls every reader to forsake confidence in wealth and to seek the only secure refuge—life under the true Shepherd who conquers death. (14) Like sheep they are laid in the grave.--Rather, like a flock for sheol they are arranged; death is their shepherd. While planning for a long life, and mapping out their estates as if for a permanent possession, they are but a flock of sheep, entirely at the disposal and under the direction of another, and this shepherd is death. Comp. Keble's paraphrase."Even as a flock arrayed are they For the dark grave; Death guides their way, Death is their shepherd now." The rendering, "feed on them," is an error. The rest of the verse as it stands is quite unintelligible. Among the many conjectured emendations, the best is (Burgess) to point the verb as the future of y?rad, and render, "and the upright shall go down to the grave amongst them (i.e., amongst the ungodly) until the morning" (for the last words compare Deuteronomy 16:4), when in contrast to the wicked they shall see light (Psalm 49:20). Adopting this emendation, a new force is lent to the next two clauses, which have puzzled modern commentators, as they did the ancient translators (LXX., "their help shall grow old in hell from their glory.") By a slight change of points and accents, and taking mizbul as a derivative noun equivalent to zebul (so also Gratz), we get, "Their beauty (is) for corruption; sheol (is) its dwelling," i.e., all, wise and unwise, good and bad, must descend to the under world (Psalm 49:11), so that the upright accompany the wicked thither, and it becomes the dwelling-place of their beauty, i.e., their bodies. . . . Verse 14. - Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them. With the foolish fancies and vain conceits of the ungodly rich men, the psalmist now contrasts the reality. When they die they are "laid in the grave," or "ranged in Hades" (Kay), as sheep in a sheepfold. There is no escape for them. Death is their shepherd; he keeps them, watches over them, tends them, allows none to quit the fold. And the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning. When the resurrection morn comes - and no other explanation appears to be possible (see even Cheyne) - it will bring them no release; the righteous will then "have domination over them," and will certainly not set them free (Revelation 21:8). And their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling; rather, and their beauty is for Hades to consume out of its dwelling; i.e. its clay tenement (so Dr. Kay).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Like sheepכַּצֹּ֤אן ׀ (kaṣ·ṣōn) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - common singular Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock they are destined שַׁתּוּ֮ (šat·tū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 8371: To place, array, reflex, to lie for Sheol. לִֽשְׁא֣וֹל (liš·’ō·wl) Preposition-l | Noun - common singular Strong's 7585: Underworld (place to which people descend at death) Death מָ֤וֶת (mā·weṯ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin will be their shepherd. יִ֫רְעֵ֥ם (yir·‘êm) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with The upright יְשָׁרִ֨ים ׀ (yə·šā·rîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 3477: Straight, right will rule them וַיִּרְדּ֘וּ (way·yir·dū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7287: To tread down, subjugate, to crumble off in בָ֤ם (ḇām) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew the morning, לַבֹּ֗קֶר (lab·bō·qer) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning and their form וְ֭צוּרָם (wə·ṣū·rām) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6736: A form, an, image will decay לְבַלּ֥וֹת (lə·ḇal·lō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct Strong's 1086: To fail, to wear out, decay in Sheol, שְׁא֗וֹל (šə·’ō·wl) Noun - common singular Strong's 7585: Underworld (place to which people descend at death) far from their lofty abode. מִזְּבֻ֥ל (miz·zə·ḇul) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2073: Elevation, height, lofty abode Links Psalm 49:14 NIVPsalm 49:14 NLT Psalm 49:14 ESV Psalm 49:14 NASB Psalm 49:14 KJV Psalm 49:14 BibleApps.com Psalm 49:14 Biblia Paralela Psalm 49:14 Chinese Bible Psalm 49:14 French Bible Psalm 49:14 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 49:14 They are appointed as a flock (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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