12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.
12 People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish.
12 Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.
12 We aren't immortal. We don't last long. Like our dogs, we age and weaken. And die.
12 Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts that perish.
12 but their fame will not last. They will die, just like animals.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 49:12
Commentary on Psalm 49:6-14
(Read Psalm 49:6-14)
Here is a description of the spirit and way of worldly people. A man may have wealth, and may have his heart enlarged in love, thankfulness, and obedience, and may do good with it. Therefore it is not men's having riches that proves them to be worldly, but their setting their hearts upon them as the best things. Worldly men have only some floating thoughts of the things of God, while their fixed thoughts, their inward thoughts, are about the world; that lies nearest the heart. But with all their wealth they cannot save the life of the dearest friend they have. This looks further, to the eternal redemption to be wrought out by the Messiah. The redemption of the soul shall cost very dear; but, being once wrought, it shall never need to be repeated. And he, the Redeemer, shall rise again before he sees corruption, and then shall live for evermore, Daniel 12:2. Let us now judge of things as they will appear in that day. The beauty of holiness is that alone which the grave cannot touch, or damage.