Psalm 49:11
ESV
Their graves are their homes forever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they called lands by their own names.
NIV
Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves.
NASB
Their inner thought is that their houses are forever And their dwelling places to all generations; They have named their lands after their own names.
CSB
Their graves are their permanent homes, their dwellings from generation to generation, though they have named estates after themselves.
NLT
The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves,
KJV
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
NKJV
Their inner thought is that their houses will last forever, Their dwelling places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names.
What does Psalm 49:11 mean?
No matter how rich and successful a person is, they will one day die and leave behind every physical possession they had (Hebrews 9:27). They will face God and be judged without any hope of using wealth to buy their way into heaven (Proverbs 11:4). Even the most famous, legacy-leaving hero of a nation will still die and be subject to examination by the Lord (Psalm 49:7–10).Ultimately, those who reject God in this life will suffer in torment (Luke 16:22–31). When they are resurrected, it will be to face the Lord at the great white throne judgment. Then they will enter the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:11–15). A search of the Lamb's book of life will determine that they failed to trust in Jesus as their Savior (John 3:16–18). Trusting in Him is the only way to guarantee that a person will spend eternity in heaven (John 1:12; 3:36).
This ominous truth should make Christians less discouraged when it seems that evil people are gaining wealth and power (Psalm 49:5–6; 73:2–3). Whatever they gain is pitiful, tiny, and temporary, compared to eternity (Psalm 73:15–20).
