Psalm 49 (48):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In that realm, truth cannot be altered by wealth, nor can one escape Gehenna through offerings; no amount of favoritism or oratory can provide salvation. Regardless of your riches, positions, or acquaintances, all of that is ultimately meaningless; there everyone receives what they deserve according to their actions. For instance, Lazarus’ wealthy contemporaries found no solace in their riches (Luke 16), and the wise virgins had no advantage over their foolish counterparts merely by association (Matthew 25), for only one thing is essential there. Hence, the prophet admonishes those who rely on wealth, advising that lifting oneself up in such a way is futile; neither great wealth nor immense power will accompany you to that judgment; neither friendships nor familial ties can rescue you. There, one cannot offer money, a ransom, or any price to save one's soul. As Scripture states, "make friends for yourselves by unrighteous riches, that they may receive you into everlasting habitations when you are poor" (Luke 16:9). What do these words convey? They present nothing contradictory or inconsistent with prior thoughts, but are, in fact, harmonious with them. This passage encourages the making of friends in this life through generosity and giving to the needy; it emphasizes the importance of charitable acts. If you depart without having done so, no one will plead on your behalf. It's not merely human friendship that intercedes for us; friendships arise from wealth. Hence, the Lord specifies "friends by riches" to highlight that these acts of mercy, charity, and kindness toward the needy will offer protection to you. That neither family nor friendships avail anything without action is affirmed by what the prophet states: "If these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, had been found, they would have saved neither sons nor daughters" (Ezekiel 14:14, 18). If in this life such friendships do not safeguard, how can we expect any protection in the afterlife? Despite Samuel's deep mourning, he could not save Saul (1 Sam. 15:35). Jeremiah prayed sincerely but was unable to assist the Jewish people, even being told not to pray (Jer. 14:7, 11). Is it surprising that Jeremiah could not help them when even Moses, had he been present, could not have saved those who were entrenched in wickedness and did not act righteously (Jeremiah 15:1)? Paul expressed profound anguish for the Jews, stating, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel for salvation" (Rom. 10:1), but did his supplication benefit them? Not at all. He was even willing to be cut off from Christ for their sake (Rom. 9:3). Are the prayers of the saints, then, in vain? No, quite the opposite. They possess immense power, provided you also contribute through your actions. For instance, Peter raised Tabitha not solely because of his prayer but because she was noted for her acts of mercy (Acts 9:36). Others too have found assistance through the prayers of the faithful. But in this current life of toil and gallant deeds, salvation hinges solely on actions. Thus, the prophet mocks the affluent and arrogant, not merely those who possess wealth or power, but specifically those "hoping in their strength, and boasting in the multitude of their riches," deriding them for relying on illusions and glorifying mere vapor.

Thus, what is offered as that ransom must not equal the worth of the enslaved, but rather surpass it, compelling the devil to willingly release his captives. Consequently, one brother cannot redeem another, as no human can convince the devil to relinquish someone who has become his. Nor can a person offer God a satisfactory sacrifice for his own transgressions; how then could they do so for another? What could one possibly gain in this life that would be valuable enough to serve as a ransom for a soul, which holds intrinsic worth as it is created in the image of its Maker? Furthermore, what effort in this world can ensure a soul's readiness for the age to come? Thus, I interpret these words as follows: even if an individual believes themselves immensely powerful in this life and is burdened by great wealth, the Psalm instructs him to abandon arrogance, to submit to the mighty hand of God (cf. 1 Pet. 5:6), and to place no confidence in his strength or boast about his riches. However, one might elevate their thoughts slightly, as those who rely on their strength and boast of their wealth must recognize that the power of the soul alone is insufficient for salvation. Even if someone appears to excel among men, without the Wisdom of God, he is deemed worthless. Although he may have acquired various insights through worldly knowledge, let him acknowledge the complete truth: every human soul is under the oppressive yoke of the common adversary and has lost the freedom bestowed by its Creator, being led into bondage by sin. To be free, every captive requires the price of redemption. One brother cannot redeem another, and no person can secure their own redemption because anyone who redeems another must be significantly greater than the one in bondage. Overall, man lacks the authority before God to atone for the sinner since he himself bears the guilt of sin. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, but are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 3:23-24). Therefore, he will not let God be unfaithful.

Theodoret expresses his own trepidation regarding the forthcoming day, stating that he feels fear and apprehension; in contrast, those who are wealthy seem indifferent, overly proud of their luxurious assets, and mistakenly believe they can rely on their present state as if it were eternal.

While it is true that wealth can influence greatly in this life, as the Wise One has aptly noted, "Everyone will listen to silver," (Ecclesiastes 10:19), in this intense period, material riches will be of no benefit, and even if they were accessible, they would prove ineffective. Thus, the Prophet continues: