Dust or Dew : Immortality in the Ancient Near East and in Psalm 49

An examination of how Psalm 49, in the context of Ancient Middle Eastern literature, offers insight into the development of Hebrew concepts of the afterlife. 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 understanding of 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.'