Psalms 89:47

KJV

Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

KJV (with Strong's)

Remember {H2142}{H8798)} how short {H2465} my time is: wherefore hast thou made {H1254}{H8804)} all men {H1121}{H120} in vain {H7723}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Remember how little time I have! Was it for no purpose that you created all humanity?

Berean Standard Bible

Remember the briefness of my lifespan! For what futility You have created all men!

American Standard Version

Oh remember how short my time is: For what vanity hast thou created all the children of men!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 89:47 presents a profound and poignant lament from the psalmist, Ethan the Ezrahite, who grapples with the inherent brevity of human life and the perceived futility of existence in the face of national disaster and apparent divine abandonment. It voices a raw, existential question to God, challenging the purpose of human creation when the covenant promises seem broken and suffering abounds, reflecting a deep spiritual crisis amidst a perceived contradiction between God's steadfast faithfulness and the painful realities of the present moment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 89 is uniquely structured, beginning with an extended and magnificent hymn celebrating God's steadfast love (חֶסֶד, _hesed_) and unwavering faithfulness, particularly as demonstrated in His eternal covenant with David, promising an enduring dynasty and throne ([Psalms 89:1-37](/psalms/89-1-37 "Psalm 89:1-37 - God's Covenant with David")). The psalmist, Ethan, extols God's power, justice, and unwavering commitment. However, there is an abrupt and jarring shift in tone from verse 38 onwards, plunging into a deep lament. The psalmist describes a devastating defeat and humiliation of the Davidic king, which appears to directly contradict the glorious promises just proclaimed. Verse 47 is embedded within this lament section ([Psalms 89:38-51](/psalms/89-38-51 "Psalm 89:38-51 - The Lament of Ethan")), serving as a direct, almost accusatory, plea to God, born out of the intense tension between divine promise and painful reality. It is a desperate cry for God to remember His own nature and His covenant, implying that the current suffering makes life seem meaningless.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The specific historical event prompting this lament is not explicitly stated, but it clearly points to a severe national crisis, likely a military defeat that brought great shame and suffering upon the Davidic monarchy and the people of Israel. Such a defeat would have been perceived as a direct assault on God's covenant with David ([2_samuel/7](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant")), which promised an eternal dynasty and divine protection. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the king was seen as God's anointed representative, and his humiliation was a profound theological crisis for the nation. The psalmist's questioning of God's purpose in creating humanity "in vain" stems from a worldview where national prosperity and the king's well-being were seen as indicators of divine favor. The cultural expectation was that God would uphold His covenant, and the current reality shattered this expectation, leading to profound spiritual anguish and existential doubt.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 89 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **tension between divine promise and human experience**, particularly when suffering seems to contradict God's declared faithfulness. The psalmist wrestles with how a sovereign and righteous God could allow such a devastating turn of events, seemingly rendering His creation purposeless. Secondly, it exemplifies the biblical tradition of **lament as a legitimate and profound form of faith**. Despite the challenging questions, the psalmist brings his doubts and despair directly to God, modeling an honest, unvarnished dialogue with the Almighty, rather than abandoning faith. This is a recurring motif in the Psalms, such as in [Psalm 22](/psalms/22 "Psalm 22 - A Cry of Anguish and Praise") or [Psalm 77](/psalms/77 "Psalm 77 - A Prayer in Time of Trouble"). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **brevity and fragility of human life**, a theme echoed in other wisdom literature like [Job 14:1](/job/14-1 "Job 14:1 - Man's Brief Life") and [Psalm 90:10](/psalms/90-10 "Psalm 90:10 - The Brevity of Life"). The psalmist's perception of life's "shortness" is magnified by the apparent lack of purpose or meaning in suffering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Time (Hebrew, _cheled'_):** This word (חֶלֶד, H2465) refers to life as a fleeting portion of time, emphasizing its transient and brief nature, like something that glides swiftly. It conveys the idea of a limited existence that passes quickly. The psalmist's use of "how short my time is" is not merely a statement of fact but an expression of profound vulnerability and existential anxiety, suggesting that life is too brief to endure such suffering or to experience such apparent meaninglessness.
* **Vain (Hebrew, _shâvᵉʼ'_):** The Hebrew word (שָׁוְא, H7723) translated as "in vain" signifies emptiness, futility, worthlessness, or purposelessness. It can denote that which is without substance or ultimate value, or something that is deceptive or false. When the psalmist asks, "wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?", it is a desperate, hyperbole-laden cry questioning God's ultimate purpose in creating humanity if their existence is to be marked by such suffering and apparent abandonment, leading to a sense of ultimate meaninglessness or worthlessness. It reflects a human perception of futility, not a theological statement about God's actual intent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remember how short my time is":** This clause is a direct appeal to God, urging Him to acknowledge the psalmist's (and by extension, humanity's) inherent mortality and the limited span of earthly existence. It is a plea for divine empathy, suggesting that if God truly understands the brevity of human life, He should act swiftly to alleviate suffering and restore purpose before life is over. It underscores the psalmist's feeling of urgency and desperation in the face of perceived divine inaction.
* **"wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?":** This is a profound and challenging rhetorical question, expressing the psalmist's deep spiritual crisis. It is not an assertion that God *did* create humanity in vain, but rather a desperate cry asking *why* God would allow circumstances that make human existence *seem* futile, meaningless, or purposeless. The "in vain" refers to the apparent outcome of human life when it is plagued by suffering, humiliation, and the apparent failure of divine promises, particularly concerning the Davidic covenant. This question reflects a wrestling with the problem of evil and suffering, questioning God's design and purpose for humanity in light of present distress.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 89:47 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound emotional and theological weight. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?", which is not meant to elicit a direct answer but to emphasize the psalmist's deep distress, confusion, and challenge to God. It highlights the perceived contradiction between God's character and the current state of affairs. The entire verse functions as a **Lament**, a common genre in the Psalms where the speaker expresses sorrow, suffering, and a plea for divine intervention, often questioning God's actions or inaction. The phrase "in vain" can also be seen as **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used for emphasis. The psalmist does not genuinely believe God created humanity without purpose, but the intensity of his suffering makes life *feel* utterly meaningless, prompting this extreme expression. Finally, there is an implied **Anthropomorphism** in the questioning of God's creative act ("hast thou made"), attributing to God a human-like capacity to err or to create something without ultimate purpose, reflecting the psalmist's raw, unvarnished wrestling with the divine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 89:47 stands as a powerful testament to the human struggle with suffering and the perceived silence of God, challenging the very foundations of divine purpose and human existence. The psalmist's raw questioning of God's creation "in vain" probes the tension between God's perfect sovereignty and the reality of a world marred by sin and pain. Theologically, it forces us to confront the problem of evil and how a good and powerful God can allow suffering that makes life seem meaningless. Yet, the very act of lamenting to God, rather than abandoning Him, affirms a deep-seated faith in His ultimate justice and power, anticipating a divine response. This verse reminds us that honest wrestling with God is a valid and often necessary part of faith, leading to a deeper understanding of His character and our place in His grand, redemptive plan, which ultimately transcends our limited earthly perspective and suffering.

* [Job 7:6](/job/7-6 "Job 7:6 - My Days Are Swifter Than a Weaver's Shuttle")
* [Ecclesiastes 1:2](/ecclesiastes/1-2 "Ecclesiastes 1:2 - Vanity of Vanities")
* [Psalm 39:4-5](/psalms/39-4-5 "Psalm 39:4-5 - Man's Life Is a Mere Breath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 89:47 offers profound insights for contemporary believers grappling with life's brevity and suffering. It validates the human experience of doubt, grief, and even anger towards God when circumstances seem to contradict His promises or when life feels purposeless. The psalmist's lament teaches us that authentic faith does not shy away from asking the hard questions, but rather brings them directly to the Creator, trusting that He is big enough to handle our raw emotions and honest wrestling. This verse encourages us to live with an acute awareness of our mortality, prompting us to consider how we are stewarding the precious, finite time we have been given. It challenges us to seek ultimate meaning and purpose not in fleeting earthly successes or comforts, but in our relationship with God and His eternal kingdom, even when our present circumstances are painful. Ultimately, it invites us to find hope beyond despair, trusting that God's purposes, though sometimes hidden, are never truly "in vain."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you felt that your efforts or even your existence seemed "in vain"? How did you respond?**
* **How does the psalmist's honest lament encourage you to bring your own doubts and frustrations to God?**
* **Considering the brevity of life, as highlighted in this verse, how does this perspective influence your priorities and how you choose to live each day?**
* **What is the difference between questioning God out of despair and questioning Him out of a desire for deeper understanding and continued faith?**

### FAQ
**Does the psalmist truly believe God created humanity without purpose?**

Answer: No, the psalmist's question "wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?" is not a definitive theological statement about God's creative intent, but rather a deeply emotional and rhetorical question born out of profound suffering and despair. It reflects the psalmist's human perception that life *feels* meaningless or purposeless in the face of overwhelming hardship and the apparent failure of God's covenant promises. It is a lament, a cry of anguish, expressing the intense tension between God's declared faithfulness and the painful reality of the moment. The Bible consistently affirms that humanity is created with divine purpose and dignity, in the image of God ([Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Humanity Created in God's Image")), and not without reason. The psalmist's cry is an honest wrestling, not a theological conclusion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 89:47, with its poignant cry concerning the brevity of life and the perceived futility of human existence, finds its ultimate and profound answer in Jesus Christ. The psalmist's lament over the apparent failure of the Davidic covenant and the humiliation of the king is directly addressed by Christ, who is the true and eternal Davidic King, the Son of God whose throne will endure forever ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Angel's Prophecy to Mary")). The "shortness of time" and the fear of being made "in vain" are overcome by Christ's victory over death and sin. Through His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus conquered the very forces that bring futility and despair to human life ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). He gives ultimate purpose to human existence, transforming our fleeting earthly lives into opportunities for eternal significance through faith in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). In Christ, our lives are not lived in vain, for He promises eternal life ([John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - Jesus Gives Eternal Life")) and a future resurrection ([1_corinthians/15-20-22](/1_corinthians/15-20-22 "1 Corinthians 15:20-22 - Christ the Firstfruits of Resurrection")), securing our hope and purpose beyond the grave and fulfilling all of God's covenant promises.

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

Job 14:1

¶ Man [that is] born of a woman [is] of few days, and full of trouble.

Job 7:7

¶ O remember that my life [is] wind: mine eye shall no more see good.

Job 10:9

Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?

James 4:14

Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Psalms 144:4

Man is like to vanity: his days [are] as a shadow that passeth away.

Job 9:25

¶ Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

Job 9:26

They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle [that] hasteth to the prey.