A reflection on the fleeting nature of worldly wealth and power

The selected text is from **Psalm 48:7-9** in the Douay Rheims Bible. This Psalm is a wisdom psalm, a reflection on the fleeting nature of worldly wealth and power, and the ultimate triumph of divine justice. Here's a brief interpretation of the selected verses:

- "They that trust in their own strength, and glory in the multitude of their riches": This verse warns against the folly of placing one's trust in worldly wealth and power.

- "No brother can redeem, nor shall man redeem: he shall not give to God his ransom, Nor the price of the redemption of his soul": These lines emphasize that no amount of wealth can buy redemption or eternal life.

- "He shall not see destruction, when he shall see the wise dying: the senseless and the fool shall perish together": This verse suggests that both the wise and the foolish face the same end—death.

- "And they shall leave their riches to strangers: and their sepulchres shall be their houses for ever": This verse underscores the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death.

- "Their dwelling places to all generations: they have called their lands by their names": This line reflects on the vanity of those who seek to immortalize themselves through worldly possessions.

- "And man when he was in honour did not understand; he is compared to senseless beasts, and is become like to them": This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of spiritual wisdom over worldly honor.

This Psalm encourages us to focus on spiritual wealth and wisdom, rather than worldly possessions and honor. It reminds us of the transient nature of life and the importance of seeking redemption and eternal life through faith and good deeds.

(1) Psalm 48:7-9 DRA - They that trust in their own strength, - Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2048:7-9&version=DRA.