Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 49:16-17

"Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, When the glory of his house is increased. For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him." — Psalms 49:16-17 (ASV)

After expressing his own hopes of escaping from death, or being rescued from corruption, the psalmist recurs to the question of Psalms 49:5, and completes the answer to it. He need not fear, however prosperous and wealthy his adversaries become, for they will die, and, dying, can take none of their possessions with them.