To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:

PSALMS 49:1KJV
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Psalms 49:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 49:1 mean?

Psalms 49:1 is a call for everyone in the world to listen carefully to what is about to be said. The verse addresses all people, regardless of their background, inviting them to pay attention to an important message.

The heading shows that this psalm was given to the chief musician and was written for the sons of Korah, a group known for their role in temple worship. The speaker is reaching out not just to Israel, but to all humanity, signaling that the message is universal and meant for every inhabitant of the earth, not just one nation or group.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 49:1

  • שִׁמְעוּ (shim'u, "Hear"): This word means to listen or pay careful attention, often with the sense of truly taking in what is being said, not just hearing sounds. It is a strong invitation to focus.
  • עָם (am, "people"): This word often refers to a group or nation, but here it is used in the broadest sense, meaning all peoples, not just Israel.
  • הַיֹּשְׁבֵי (hayoshevei, "inhabitants"): This word comes from a root meaning "to dwell" or "to live in," emphasizing that the message is for everyone who lives in the world, not just travelers or outsiders.
  • תֵּבֵל (tevel, "world"): This word often refers to the inhabited world or the earth as a whole, underlining the global scope of the message.

Why Psalms 49:1 matters

  • Psalms 49:1 makes it clear that the message of this psalm is not limited to Israel or a religious elite; it is meant for everyone, everywhere.
  • The verse sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, which deals with themes that concern all people, such as life, death, and what truly matters in the end.
  • By inviting all inhabitants of the world to listen, the verse highlights the universal importance of what follows, encouraging every reader to pay close attention.

Where else these words appear

“world” Hebrew H2465 · used in 5 verses

  • Job 11:17 And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
  • Psalms 17:14 From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
  • Psalms 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

“Korah” Hebrew H7141 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 36:5 And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.
  • Numbers 16:24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:37 The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,

“ear” Hebrew H238 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
  • Job 37:14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
  • Psalms 141:1 A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.

“Psalm” Hebrew H4210 · used in 57 verses

  • Psalms 3:1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
  • Psalms 38:1 A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
  • Psalms 79:1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.