PSALM 49, L. M.
The rich sinner's death, and the saint's resurrection.
Why do the proud insult the poor,
And boast the large estates they have?
How vain are riches to secure
Their haughty owners from the grave!
They can't redeem one hour from death,
With all the wealth in which they trust;
Nor give a dying brother breath,
When God commands him down to dust.
There the dark earth and dismal shade
Shall clasp their naked bodies round;
That flesh, so delicately fed,
Lies cold and moulders in the ground.
Like thoughtless sheep the sinner dies,
Laid in the grave for worms to eat:
The saints shall in the morning rise,
And find th' oppressor at their feet.
His honors perish in the dust,
And pomp and beauty, birth and blood:
That glorious day exalts the just
To full dominion o'er the proud.
My Savior shall my life restore,
And raise me from my dark abode;
My flesh and soul shall part no more,
But dwell for ever near my God.
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
The Psalms of David, 1719
1 comment:
Much has been said and written about earthly riches. I am afraid so many still believe that riches can buy happiness or play a part in it. But can it really?
From what I have seen, the rich man is usually the one who has more strife and discontentment. We read stories of those who have won the big lottery jackpot, only to learn that a couple of years later, they are broke. Several years before he passed away, someone interviewed Sam Walton and asked him about his empire. He said something to the effect of, " It's just all on paper." Maybe Mr. Walton had the right perspective more so than we ever imagined.
Man has tried every way possible to buy satisfaction, religion not excluded. It cannot be done. Programs, denominations, conventions,societies, gimmicks, or anything else can never equal the ultimate price.
If anything, it has driven a wedge between man and God. Our Lord had no place to lay his head and travelled by foot. If He walked among us today, would He be rejected because his status was not up to par with mainstream society?
Death has a way of putting things in proper perspective more so than anything else I can think of. All things become common and of little value when someone receives word that a loved one has passed away. True riches are found only in Christ.
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