They that trust in their wealth
In their outward force, power, and strength; their horses, chariots, and armies; see ( Psalms 33:16 ) ( 20:7 ) ( Isaiah 31:1 ) ; or in their worldly goods and substance; which seems to be the sense of the word here, as appears from ( Psalms 49:10 ) . To "trust" in them is to set the eye and heart upon them; or to take up rest in them, to depend on them, to the neglect of divine Providence, with respect to future living in this world; and to expect eternal happiness hereafter, because favoured with many earthly enjoyments here: so to do is evil. Therefore the Targum is, "woe to the wicked that trust in their substance". And it is also very weak and foolish to trust in riches, since they are uncertain, are here today, and gone tomorrow; and are unsatisfying, he that has much would still have more: nor can they deliver from evil, from present judgments, from the sword, the pestilence, and famine; nor from death, nor from the future judgment, and wrath to come; and are often injurious to the spiritual and eternal welfare of men; see ( 1 Timothy 6:9 1 Timothy 6:10 1 Timothy 6:17 ) ( Mark 10:24 ) ;
and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches;
of their acquisition of them by their own diligence and industry; and of their having them because of some peculiar virtue and excellency in themselves; and of the abundance of them. Such rejoicing and boasting is evil; since riches are the gifts of God, the blessings of his Providence; and are often bestowed on persons neither wise nor diligent, and much less deserving; see ( Jeremiah 9:23 ) . The whole may be applied to the Romish antichrist and his followers, who trust in and boast of their temporal riches, which in one hour will come to nought, ( Revelation 18:7 Revelation 18:17 ) ; and of the treasure of the church, of merit; and works of supererogation; with all which they cannot redeem one soul from ruin and destruction, as follows: