Psalms 39:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 39:5 offers a profound meditation on the brevity and fragility of human existence in contrast to the eternal majesty of God. David, having wrestled with his own suffering and the temptation to speak rashly, turns his focus to the universal human condition, declaring that even the longest and most accomplished life is but a fleeting moment, ultimately amounting to nothing in God's infinite perspective. This verse serves as a stark reminder of human transience and the inherent futility of life when viewed apart from its Creator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 39 is a deeply personal lament, often categorized as a wisdom psalm due to its reflective nature on universal truths. The psalm begins with David's resolve to remain silent and guard his tongue, even amidst intense internal anguish and external provocation, to avoid sinning against God ([Psalms 39:1-2](/psalms/39-1 "Psalm 39:1-2 - David's Vow of Silence")). However, his pent-up grief and frustration eventually compel him to speak, not in complaint against God, but in a desperate plea for understanding and a profound contemplation of human mortality ([Psalms 39:3-4](/psalms/39-3 "Psalm 39:3-4 - David's Heart Burns, He Speaks")). Verse 5 marks a pivotal shift from David's personal suffering to a broader, universal reflection on the fleeting nature of human life, setting the stage for his subsequent petitions and expressions of hope in God alone.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While Psalm 39 doesn't specify a particular historical event in David's life, it reflects the common human experience of suffering, aging, and confronting mortality. In ancient Israel, life expectancy was considerably shorter than today, making the brevity of life a tangible reality. The imagery of "handbreadth" and "nothing" would have been readily understood as metaphors for extreme smallness and insignificance. The psalm's setting within the broader collection of Psalms places it within the worship and devotional life of Israel, where individuals brought their deepest struggles and theological reflections before God. The concept of *hebel* (vanity/vapor) was a well-established theme in Israelite wisdom literature, most notably explored in the book of [Ecclesiastes](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes - The Search for Meaning"), indicating a shared theological understanding of life's transient nature.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Psalter and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **The Brevity and Fragility of Human Life**, emphasizing how quickly human existence passes from God's eternal perspective. Secondly, it highlights **Human Insignificance Before God's Eternity**, fostering a profound sense of humility and dependence on the Creator, whose lifespan is infinite. Thirdly, it introduces the theme of **The Universal Vanity of Man**, asserting that all human endeavors, achievements, and even life itself, when viewed apart from God, are ultimately transient and without lasting substance. This theme resonates strongly with the philosophical explorations found throughout [Ecclesiastes](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes - The Search for Meaning"), particularly its recurring declaration that "all is vanity" ([Ecclesiastes 1:2](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - All is Vanity")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Handbreadth (Hebrew, _ṭōp̄aḥ_):** This word refers to a very small unit of measurement, specifically the width of four fingers, approximately three to four inches. As a metaphor, it vividly conveys the extreme brevity and limited scope of human life when contrasted with God's infinite and eternal nature. It suggests that our entire lifespan is but a minuscule, almost imperceptible, measure in the grand scheme of divine time.
* **Vanity (Hebrew, _hebel_):** The Hebrew term *hebel* (הֶבֶל) literally means "breath," "vapor," "mist," or "exhalation." It carries the connotation of something fleeting, insubstantial, empty, or futile. When David declares that "every man at his best state is altogether vanity" (*kullo hebel*), he uses an intensified form, suggesting complete and utter transience and futility. This is the same foundational word used extensively in [Ecclesiastes](/ecclesiastes/1 "Ecclesiastes - The Search for Meaning") to describe the emptiness of all earthly pursuits apart from God.
* **Selah (Hebrew, _selah_):** While its precise meaning remains debated, "Selah" is a musical or liturgical notation frequently found in the Psalms. It generally indicates a pause for reflection, a musical interlude, or an emphatic marker, urging the reader or listener to ponder deeply the preceding statement. In Psalm 39:5, "Selah" serves as a powerful invitation to pause and internalize the profound and sobering truth of human mortality and the vanity of life apart from God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Behold, thou hast made my days [as] an handbreadth":** David begins with an exclamation ("Behold!") to draw attention to a profound truth. He directly attributes the brevity of his life to God's sovereign design ("thou hast made"). The metaphor of "an handbreadth" powerfully illustrates the extreme shortness and limited scope of human existence from an eternal perspective, emphasizing that our lifespan is not merely short, but divinely ordained to be so.
* **"and mine age [is] as nothing before thee":** This clause further intensifies the theme of human insignificance. David acknowledges that his entire lifespan, his "age," is utterly inconsequential, "as nothing," when measured against the boundless and eternal existence of God. This highlights the vast disparity between the Creator and the created, fostering a sense of humility and dependence.
* **"verily every man at his best state [is] altogether vanity. Selah.":** David broadens his reflection from his personal experience to a universal truth. The word "verily" (or "surely") underscores the certainty of this declaration. Even at the peak of human strength, wisdom, prosperity, or achievement ("at his best state"), humanity is declared "altogether vanity." This is not a statement of nihilism but a theological assertion that without God, all human endeavors are transient and lack ultimate, eternal significance. The concluding "Selah" demands a moment of solemn contemplation on this weighty truth.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 39:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, seen in the comparison of human "days" to "an handbreadth," vividly illustrating the extreme brevity of life. Similarly, the declaration that "mine age is as nothing" and "every man...is altogether vanity" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the stark contrast between human temporality and divine eternity, underscoring human insignificance. There is also a clear **Contrast** established between the finite, fleeting nature of humanity and the infinite, eternal nature of God. The structure of the verse moves from a personal observation ("my days") to a universal declaration ("every man"), demonstrating a logical progression from individual experience to a shared human condition. Finally, the inclusion of **Selah** acts as a structural and rhetorical device, demanding a pause for the reader to deeply reflect on the weighty, sobering truth just presented, amplifying its impact.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 39:5 serves as a foundational verse for understanding biblical anthropology and God's sovereignty over time. It compels us to confront the reality of our finite nature, not as a cause for despair, but as a necessary step toward true humility and a proper perspective on life. By declaring human life, even at its peak, to be "vanity," the psalmist challenges us to look beyond temporal achievements and fleeting pleasures for ultimate meaning. This perspective elevates God's eternal nature as the sole source of enduring significance and hope, reminding us that our true worth and purpose are found only in relation to Him. The verse implicitly calls for a life lived with eternal perspective, investing in what truly lasts rather than what is merely transient.

* [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Life")
* [James 4:14](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life as a Vapor")
* [Ecclesiastes 1:2](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - All is Vanity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 39:5 offers a powerful and sobering reminder that our earthly lives, though precious, are incredibly brief from God's eternal vantage point. This truth should not lead to fatalism or despair, but rather to a profound reorientation of our priorities and a deeper sense of urgency in our walk with God. Recognizing that our "days are as an handbreadth" and that even our "best state is altogether vanity" compels us to seek meaning and purpose beyond fleeting temporal achievements. It calls us to cultivate humility, acknowledge our absolute dependence on God, and invest our finite time and resources in what truly lasts—our relationship with Him, acts of love and service, and the advancement of His eternal kingdom. This verse challenges us to live each day intentionally, seeking to honor God with every breath, knowing that our time is a precious, limited gift.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing the brevity of life impact your daily priorities and long-term goals?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be investing in "vanity" (things that lack eternal significance) rather than eternal pursuits?**
* **How does God's eternal nature and steadfastness provide comfort and stability amidst the transience of human life?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to live more intentionally for God's glory, given the limited time you have?**

### FAQ
**What does "handbreadth" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Psalm 39:5, "handbreadth" (Hebrew: *ṭōp̄aḥ*) refers to a very small unit of measurement, specifically the width of four fingers, roughly three to four inches. It is used metaphorically to emphasize the extreme brevity and limited scope of human life when compared to God's infinite and eternal existence. It highlights how quickly our lives pass by from a divine perspective, underscoring our finite nature.

**Why does David call man "vanity," even at his best?**

Answer: David declares that "every man at his best state is altogether vanity" to convey the inherent futility and impermanence of human life and achievements when viewed apart from God. The Hebrew word for "vanity" (*hebel*) means "breath" or "vapor," suggesting something insubstantial, fleeting, and ultimately empty. Even at the peak of strength, wisdom, wealth, or influence, human endeavors are transient and lack ultimate, eternal significance if they are not rooted in God. This statement is not meant to devalue human life, but to reorient our perspective, reminding us that true and lasting meaning is found only in relationship with our eternal Creator, as explored extensively in [Ecclesiastes 1:2](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - All is Vanity").

**What is the significance of "Selah" here?**

Answer: "Selah" is a musical or liturgical notation found frequently in the Psalms, whose precise meaning is debated but generally indicates a pause for reflection, a musical interlude, or an emphasis on the preceding statement. In Psalm 39:5, its placement after the profound declaration of human vanity serves as a powerful invitation to pause and deeply internalize the weighty truth of human mortality and the transient nature of life apart from God. It encourages contemplation and allows the listener or reader to fully grasp the solemnity and theological implications of David's words.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 39:5, with its stark declaration of human frailty and the universal "vanity" of life, finds its ultimate answer and transformation in Jesus Christ. The psalmist laments the brevity of human days and the insignificance of our age before an eternal God, highlighting the inherent limitations of our mortal existence. However, in Christ, this "vanity" is overcome. The eternal Son of God, who was with God and was God from the beginning ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1 "John 1:1-3 - The Eternal Word")), humbled Himself to enter our fleeting, "handbreadth" existence, taking on human flesh ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus conquered the very power of death that makes human life so transient and seemingly futile ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). He is the Resurrection and the Life, offering eternal life to all who believe in Him, transforming our "handbreadth" of days into an everlasting inheritance ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). Thus, for those in Christ, the sting of death is removed, and our lives, though brief on earth, are hidden with Christ in God, imbued with eternal purpose and significance beyond all "vanity" ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death Through Christ"); [Colossians 3:1-4](/colossians/3-1 "Colossians 3:1-4 - Setting Your Minds on Things Above")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.