King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Behold, thou hast made my days [as] an handbreadth; and mine age [is] as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state [is] altogether vanity. Selah.
Complete Jewish Bible:
You have made my days like handbreadths; for you, the length of my life is like nothing." Yes, everyone, no matter how firmly he stands, is merely a puff of wind. (Selah)
Berean Standard Bible:
You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah
American Standard Version:
Behold, thou hast made my daysas handbreadths; And my life-time is as nothing before thee: Surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. [Selah
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Behold, thou hast made{H5414} my days{H3117} as an handbreadth{H2947}; and mine age{H2465} is as nothing before thee: verily every{H3605} man{H120} at his best state{H5324}{H8737)} is altogether{H3605} vanity{H1892}. Selah{H5542}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 144:4
- Man is like to vanity: his days [are] as a shadow that passeth away.
Psalms 89:47
- Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
Psalms 90:9
- For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale [that is told].
Psalms 90:10
- The days of our years [are] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength [they be] fourscore years, yet [is] their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Psalms 62:9
- Surely men of low degree [are] vanity, [and] men of high degree [are] a lie: to be laid in the balance, they [are] altogether [lighter] than vanity.
Psalms 39:11
- When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man [is] vanity. Selah.
Ecclesiastes 2:11
- Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all [was] vanity and vexation of spirit, and [there was] no profit under the sun.
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Commentary for Psalms 39:5
Psalm 39:5 is a poignant verse that reflects on the brevity of human life and the fleeting nature of our existence in the grand scheme of eternity. The psalmist, traditionally attributed to King David, contemplates the transient nature of life, comparing the span of his days to the small measure of a handbreadth—a unit of measure based on the width of the hand, signifying something very brief and insignificant. The verse conveys a sense of human life being ephemeral and trivial when considered against the backdrop of divine eternity.
The theme of the verse is deeply rooted in the wisdom tradition of the Hebrew Bible, which often meditates on the limitations of human life and the vanity of worldly pursuits. The term "vanity" here suggests that every human achievement or condition, even at its peak, is fleeting and devoid of lasting significance without a connection to the divine. The exclamation "Selah," possibly a musical or liturgical notation, punctuates this reflection, inviting the reader or hearer to pause and consider the weight of this insight.
In the historical context, this verse would resonate with the Israelite audience, who were keenly aware of the precariousness of life and the need for spiritual grounding in the face of life's uncertainties. The message is one of humility and perspective, reminding individuals of their mortality and the ultimate futility of pursuing worldly success without acknowledging God's sovereignty and the eternal. It serves as a call to live a life that is mindful of the eternal values and the divine purpose, rather than being consumed by the transient pleasures and achievements of this world.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H3117
There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹם
Transliteration: yôwm
Pronunciation: yome
Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. - Strong's Number: H2947
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טֵפַח
Transliteration: ṭêphach
Pronunciation: tay'-fakh
Description: from טָפַח; a spread of the hand, i.e. a palm-breadth (not 'span' of the fingers); architecturally, a corbel (as a supporting palm); coping, hand-breadth. - Strong's Number: H2465
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֶלֶד
Transliteration: cheled
Pronunciation: kheh'-led
Description: from an unused root apparently meaning to glide swiftly; life (as a fleeting portion of time); hence, the world (as transient); age, short time, world. - Strong's Number: H3605
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּל
Transliteration: kôl
Pronunciation: kole
Description: or (Jeremiah 33:8) כּוֹל; from כָּלַל; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense); (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). - Strong's Number: H120
There are 581 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָדָם
Transliteration: ʼâdâm
Pronunciation: aw-dawm'
Description: from אָדַם; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.); [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. - Strong's Number: H5324
There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָצַב
Transliteration: nâtsab
Pronunciation: naw-tsab'
Description: a primitive root; to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively); appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state. - Strong's Number: H1892
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הֶבֶל
Transliteration: hebel
Pronunciation: heh'bel
Description: or (rarely in the abs.) הֲבֵל; from הָבַל; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb; [idiom] altogether, vain, vanity. - Strong's Number: H5542
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סֶלָה
Transliteration: çelâh
Pronunciation: seh'-law
Description: from סָלָה; suspension (of music), i.e. pause; Selah.