Psalms 49:19

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 49:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see the light.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see the light.
Psalms 49:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 49

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see the light.

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He shall go to the generation of his fathers - To be gathered to one’s own people, or to his fathers, is a common expression in the Old Testament in speaking of death. See Genesis 25:8, Genesis 25:17; Genesis 35:29; Genesis 49:29, Genesis 49:33, Numbers 20:24, Numbers 20:26; Numbers 27:13; Numbers 31:2; Deuteronomy 32:50; Judges 2:10. It means that they were united again with those who had gone before them, in the regions of the dead. Death had indeed separated them, but by death they were again united. They shall never see light - He and the “generation” to which he has gone to be united, would no more see the light of this world; no more walk among the living: Job 33:30. Compare the notes…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He - Now he returns to the third person: such changes are frequent in this book. Go - To the grave and hell, where he shall meet with his wicked parents, who by their counsel and example, led him into his evil courses. See - Neither the light of this life, to which they shall never return: nor of the next life, to which they shall never be admitted. Psalms 49:20”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“He: Heb. The soul, Ecc 3:21, Ecc 12:7; Luk 12:20, Luk 16:22, Luk 16:23 to the generation: Gen 15:15; Kg1 16:6 never: Psa 56:13; Job 33:30; Mat 8:12, Mat 22:13; Jde 1:13 Psalms 49:20”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification