Dust or Dew No. 49: Immortality in the Ancient near East and in Psalm 49

Dust or Dew addresses the question of Israel's unique contribution to beliefs about afterlife in the Ancient Near East as hinted at in Psalm 49. Dust or Dew shows which other readings, from the literature of both ancient Israel and its neighbours, enriches our understanding not only of the psalm but also of Israel's developing concepts of sheol and redemption for the righteous. Psalm 49's hints about the afterlife would have been clearly understood in the Ancient Near East, but today they are are less obvious. Smith brings together readings from the literature of both ancient Israel and its neighbours to enrich an understandingof Psalm 49 capable of developing the readers comprehension of the concepts of Sheol and redemption for the righteous that represent Israel's unique contribution to beliefs about afterlife. Dust or Dew brings together ancient and modern soteriology that sheds new light on both the Old and New Testaments. The author of Psalm 49 reminds all men and women everywhere that death is inevitable and that all pride turns to ashes and worms. Estates are left behind. Death feeds on the corpse. What happens to the soul is the real thrust of the author's production and the theme of this present exploration. The author painted afterlife with the broadest of brushes. His focus was the pride of the rich, but hints at hope for the righteous.' 1. Introduction 2. A Review of Literature on the Afterlife 3. Who Were the Korahites? 4. A Pilgrimage through the Korahite Psalter 5. Translation and Commentary 6. The Grim Afterlife of the Ancient Near East 7. The Path of Death or Life in the Hebrew Bible 8. Conclusion An original examination of how Psalm 49, when read in the context of the literature of the Ancient Middle East, reveals new insights into the development of Hebrew concepts of the afterlife.