Psalms 49 · Verse 5

Psalms 49:5

Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
Psalms 49:5, King James Version

Psalms 49:5 in other translations

BSBWhy should I fear in times of trouble, when wicked usurpers surround me?
WEBWhy should I fear in the days of evil, when iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
ASVWherefore should I fear in the days of evil, When iniquity at my heels compasseth me about?
YLTWhy do I fear in days of evil? The iniquity of my supplanters doth compass me.
DARBYWherefore should I fear in the days of adversity, when the iniquity of my supplanters encompasseth me? —
BBEWhat cause have I for fear in the days of evil, when the evil-doing of those who are working for my downfall is round about me?
WebsterWhy should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall encompass me?

What does Psalms 49:5 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
5. iniquity--or, "calamity" (Psa 40:12). of my heels--literally "my supplanters" (Ge 27:36), or oppressors: "I am surrounded by the evils they inflict."

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 5 The iniquity of my heels - Perhaps עקבי akebai, which we translate my heels, should be considered the contracted plural of עקבים akebim, supplanters. The verse would then read thus: "Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, though the iniquity of my supplanters should compass me about." The Syriac and Arabic have taken a similar view of the passage: "Why should I fear in the evil day, when the iniquity of my enemies compasses me about." And so Dr. Kennicott translates it.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 49:1-5

We seldom meet with a more solemn introduction: there is no truth of greater importance. Let all hear this with application to ourselves. The poor are in danger from undue desire toward the wealth of the world, as rich people from undue delight in it. The psalmist begins with applying it to himself, and that is the right method in which to treat of Divine things. Before he sets down the folly of carnal security, he…

Read the full comment on Psalms 49:1-5 →

Psalms 49:5 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

לָ֣מָּהLa.mah<to> why?H4100
אִ֭ירָא'I.ra'will I fearH3372
בִּ֣ימֵיBi.meiin days ofH3117
רָ֑עRa'troubleH7451
עֲוֹ֖ן'a.Von[the] iniquity ofH5771
עֲקֵבַ֣י'a.ke.Vaiheels myH6119
יְסוּבֵּֽנִי\׃ye.su.Be.niit surrounds meH5437

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 49:5

  • Philippians 1:28

    And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

  • Acts 27:24

    Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

  • Romans 8:33-34

    Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

  • Proverbs 24:10

    If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

  • Psalms 46:1-2

    To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

  • Psalms 38:4

    For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.

  • Isaiah 41:10-11

    Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

  • Psalms 22:16

    For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

  • Psalms 23:4

    Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

  • Ephesians 5:16

    Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

  • 1 Samuel 26:20

    Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains.

  • Psalms 27:1-2

    A Psalm of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Wherefore.
27:1,2; 46:1,2; Isa 41:10,11; Ac 27:24; Ro 8:33,34; Php 1:28
days.
Pr 24:10; Am 5:13; Eph 5:16
iniquity.
38:4; Pr 5:22; Ho 7:2
heels.
22:16; 56:6,7; Ge 49:17; 1Sa 26:20

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 49:4

    I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp.

  • Psalms 49:5

    Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?

  • Psalms 49:6

    They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;

Read all of Psalms 49

Psalms 49:5 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
¿Por qué he de temer en los días de adversidad, cuando la iniquidad de mis insidiadores me cercare?
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Je prêterai l’oreille au discours sentencieux, j’exposerai mon énigme sur la harpe.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Warum sollte ich mich fürchten in Tagen des Übels, wenn die Ungerechtigkeit derer, die mir auf der Ferse sind, mich umringt.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Congregate illi sanctos ejus, qui ordinant testamentum ejus super sacrificia.