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Psalms 146:4

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His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

His breath {H7307} goeth forth {H3318}, he returneth {H7725} to his earth {H127}; in that very day {H3117} his thoughts {H6250} perish {H6}.

When they breathe their last, they return to dust; on that very day all their plans are gone.

When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish.

His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; In that very day his thoughts perish.

Commentary

Psalms 146:4 is a profound statement on human mortality and the transient nature of earthly existence, serving as a stark contrast to the enduring power and faithfulness of God, which is the central theme of Psalm 146.

Context

Psalm 146 is one of the final Hallelujah Psalms (Psalms 146-150), beginning and ending with "Praise ye the LORD." It stands as a powerful call to praise God, particularly by contrasting His eternal reliability with the inherent limitations and mortality of human beings. Verses 3 and 4 specifically warn against placing ultimate trust in human leaders or institutions, setting the stage for the subsequent verses that extol God's unfailing help and justice. This verse provides the crucial reason why human help is ultimately insufficient: they are bound by the same limitations of life and death as all mortals.

Key Themes

  • Human Mortality and Frailty: The verse vividly describes the inevitable end of human life. "His breath goeth forth" refers to the cessation of life, and "he returneth to his earth" signifies the body's decomposition and return to dust, echoing the divine decree in Genesis 3:19. This highlights the brevity and fragility of human existence.
  • The Transience of Earthly Plans: The phrase "in that very day his thoughts perish" emphasizes that all human plans, ambitions, schemes, and wisdom cease to be relevant or actionable upon death. This is not about the annihilation of the soul, but the end of earthly influence and worldly foresight. It underscores the futility of relying on human promises or long-term strategies apart from God.
  • Contrast with God's Eternity: This verse serves as a foundational argument for the psalm's overarching message: do not put your trust in mortal men, for their lives and plans are finite. Instead, trust in the eternal God, whose counsel and purposes never perish (Psalms 33:11).

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "breath" is ruach (רוּחַ), which can mean breath, spirit, or wind. In this context, it signifies the life force leaving the body, marking the moment of death. The term "thoughts" comes from the Hebrew 'eshtona (עֶשְׁתֹּנָה), which refers to plans, designs, purposes, or schemes. The perishing of these "thoughts" signifies the complete cessation of a person's earthly endeavors and their ability to influence events or carry out their intentions in the temporal realm.

Practical Application

Psalms 146:4 offers several profound lessons for believers today:

  • Humility and Perspective: It reminds us of our own mortality and the limited time we have on earth. This fosters humility and helps us prioritize what truly matters, encouraging us to seek God's eternal perspective rather than being consumed by fleeting earthly concerns.
  • Placing Trust Wisely: The verse powerfully reinforces the call to put not your trust in princes or any human power. Since all humans are mortal and their plans temporary, ultimate reliance should be placed solely on God, who is eternal and unchanging (Malachi 3:6).
  • Living for Eternity: Recognizing that our earthly plans perish with us, the verse encourages us to invest in things with eternal value. It prompts us to align our lives and purposes with God's will, knowing that His counsel stands forever, even when our own thoughts and plans cease.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 12:7 (16 votes)

    Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

  • Psalms 104:29 (11 votes)

    Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

  • Genesis 2:7 (9 votes)

    And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

  • Genesis 3:19 (7 votes)

    In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:6 (6 votes)

    ¶ Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

  • Psalms 33:10 (5 votes)

    The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

  • Daniel 5:23 (4 votes)

    But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath [is], and whose [are] all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: