Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud.
Read Chapter 123
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
6. "Our soul is filled exceedingly; a reproach to the wealthy, and a contempt to the proud" (ver. 4). We were asking who were "the wealthy:" he hath expounded to thee, in that he hath said, "the proud." "Reproach" and "contempt" are the same: and "wealthy" is the same with "proud." It is a repetition of the sentence, "a reproach to the wealthy, and a contempt to the proud." Why are the proud wealthy? Because they wish to be happy here. Why? since they themselves too are miserable, are they wealthy? But perhaps when they are miserable, they do not mock us. Listen, my beloved. Then perchance they mock when they are happy, when they boast themselves in the pomp of their riches! when they boast themselves in the inflated state of false honours: then they mock us, and seem to say, Behold, it is well with me: I enjoy the good things before me: let those who promise what they cannot show depart from me: what I see, I hold; what I see, I enjoy; may I fare well in this life. Be thou more secure...
A reproach. Hebrew, "with the reproach of those at ease", (Haydock) or "let reproach fall upon "We are treated with too much scorn, Lamentations iii. 30. (Calmet)
Yet God will not permit his friends to be overcome, but encourages them to hope for speedy redress, when their sufferings are great. (Worthington)
