Psalms 49

“Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world:” Naming Hear keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Both low and high, rich and poor, together.” Naming Both keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.” The line’s distinctive content terms include dark, harp, incline. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;” The line’s distinctive content terms include boast, multitude, riches. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him:” Naming None keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“(For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:)” The line’s distinctive content terms include ceaseth, precious, redemption. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.” The line’s distinctive content terms include corruption, live, still. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish.” Naming Nevertheless keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.” Naming Selah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.” Naming Though keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.” Naming Man keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.