Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 49:17

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"Fear not, though a man be made rich, and though the glory of his house be multiplied." Wherefore "fear not"? "For when he shall die, he shall not receive anything." Thou seest him living, consider him dying. Thou markest what he hath here, mark what he taketh with him. What doth he take with him? He hath store of gold, he hath store of silver, numerous estates, slaves: he dieth, these remain, he knoweth not for whom. For though he leaveth them for whom he will, he keepeth them not for whom he will. …

Exposition on Psalm 49 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

Do not be troubled when you hear that the glory of someone's house has increased. Think deeply about it, and you will see that a house is empty if it is not filled with faith.… Adam, by his ruin, left us void and empty, but Christ's grace has filled the void. Christ emptied himself so that the fullness of virtue might live in human flesh.

Commentaries on the Twelve Davidic Psalms, On Psalm 49 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

"For when he shall die." Here the reason is assigned why the wicked are not to be feared if they become rich. First, because at some point they shall be deprived of all exterior goods; second, they shall also fail in all interior goods. The second is at "For his soul." Therefore he says, they are not to be feared, because God reserves greater things for you. But these things that are given to them are transitory. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗