Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. Made not God his strength ] Did not make God his portion.
In the abundance of his riches ] Literally, in the multiplication of his riches. He had got much, he hoped to get more, and expected that his happiness would multiply as his riches multiplied. And this is the case with most rich men.
Strengthened himself in his wickedness. ] Loved money instead of God; and thus his depravity, being increased, was strengthened.
Crescit amor nummi, quantum ipsa pecunia crescit.
"In proportion to the increase of wealth, so is the love of it." Where is the religious man, in whose hands money has multiplied, who has not lost the spirit of piety in the same ratio? To prevent this, and the perdition to which it leads, there is no way but opening both hands to the poor.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-9 - Those wretchedly deceive themselves, who think to support themselves i power and wealth without God. The wicked man trusted in the abundanc of his riches; he thought his wickedness would help him to keep his wealth. Right or wrong, he would get what he could, and keep what he had, and ruin any one that stood in his way; this he thought woul strengthen him; but see what it comes to! Those who by faith and love dwell in the house of God, shall be like green olive-trees there. An that we may be as green olive-trees, we must live a life of faith an holy confidence in God and his grace. It adds much to the beauty of ou profession, and to fruitfulness in every grace, to be much in praisin God; and we never can want matter for praise. His name alone can be ou refuge and strong tower. It is very good for us to wait on that savin name; there is nothing better to calm and quiet our spirits, when disturbed, and to keep us in the way of duty, when tempted to use an crooked courses for our relief, than to hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. None ever followed his guidance but it ende well _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew הנה2009 הגבר1397 לא3808 ישׂים7760 אלהים430 מעוזו4581 ויבטח982 ברב7230 עשׁרו6239 יעז5810 בהותו׃1942
