Psalms – Chapter 49

Old Testament • 23 Verses

Chapter Summary

Psalms 49 opens with the words: "A psalm for Asaph. The God of gods, the Lord hath spoken: and he hath called the earth. From the rising of the sun, to the going down…" Across its 23 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and justice and care for the poor. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1A psalm for Asaph. The God of gods, the Lord hath spoken: and he hath called the earth. From the rising of the sun, to the going down thereof:

2Out of Sion the loveliness of his beauty.

3God shall come manifestly: our God shall come, and shall not keep silence. A fire shall burn before him: and a mighty tempest shall be round about him.

4He shall call heaven from above, and the earth, to judge his people.

5Gather ye together his saints to him: who set his covenant before sacrifices.

6And the heavens shall declare his justice: for God is judge.

7Hear, O my people, and I will speak: O Israel, and I will testify to thee: I am God, thy God.

8I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices: and thy burnt offerings are always in my sight.

9I will not take calves out of thy house: nor he goats out of thy flocks.

10For all the beasts of the woods are mine: the cattle on the hills, and the oxen.

11I know all the fowls of the air: and with me is the beauty of the field.

12If I should be hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.

13Shall I eat the flesh of bullocks? or shall I drink the blood of goats?

14Offer to God the sacrifice of praise: and pay thy vows to the most High.

15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

16But to the sinner God hath said: Why dost thou declare my justices, and take my covenant in thy mouth?

17Seeing thou hast hated discipline: and hast cast my words behind thee.

18If thou didst see a thief thou didst run with him: and with adulterers thou hast been a partaker.

19Thy mouth hath abounded with evil, and thy tongue framed deceits.

20Sitting thou didst speak against thy brother, and didst lay a scandal against thy mother's son:

21These things hast thou done, and I was silent. Thou thoughtest unjustly that I should be like to thee: but I will reprove thee, and set before thy face.

22Understand these things, you that forget God; lest he snatch you away, and there be none to deliver you.

23The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me: and there is the way by which I will shew him the salvation of God.

Important Verses in Psalms 49

“A psalm for Asaph. The God of gods, the Lord hath spoken: and he hath called the earth. From the rising of the sun, to the going down thereof:”

Psalms 49:1

“And the heavens shall declare his justice: for God is judge.”

Psalms 49:6

“But to the sinner God hath said: Why dost thou declare my justices, and take my covenant in thy mouth?”

Psalms 49:16

“The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me: and there is the way by which I will shew him the salvation of God. ”

Psalms 49:23

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Psalms was written with god's people at prayer in every age in view. Chapter 49 of 150 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 23 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "A psalm for Asaph. The God of gods, the Lord hath spoken: and he hath called the earth. From the rising of the sun, to…" It concludes: "The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me: and there is the way by which I will shew him the salvation of God. " Read against its original backdrop, The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Psalms around Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, the psalmist voices praise, lament, thanksgiving, or petition before God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "A psalm for Asaph. The God of gods, the Lord hath spoken: and he hath called the earth. From the rising of the sun, to the going down thereof:" The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 854).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Psalms 49 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims Psalms Chapter 49 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in Psalms Chapter 49. At the moral level, stewardship of creation challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 1265).

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 1502).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 49 about?

Psalms 49 contains 23 verses. It opens with "A psalm for Asaph. The God of gods, the Lord hath spoken: and he hath called the earth. From the rising of the sun, to…" and closes with "The sacrifice of praise shall glorify me: and there is the way by which I will shew him the salvation of God. ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 49?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "A psalm for Asaph. The God of gods, the Lord hath spoken: and he hath called the earth. From the rising of the sun, to the going down thereof:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Related Chapters

Isaiah 10Shares people and themes with this chapterHosea 10Shares people and themes with this chapterExodus 5Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World

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