4 Man is like to vanity; his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
My days are like a lengthened-out shadow, and I, I am withered like grass.
For we are [but] of yesterday, and know nothing, for our days upon earth are a shadow.
For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; and God has not taken away his life, but devises means that the banished one be not expelled from him.
For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no hope [of life].
Man, born of woman, is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down; and he fleeth as a shadow, and continueth not. Yet dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?
Behold, thou hast made my days [as] hand-breadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before thee; verily, every man, [even] the high placed, is altogether vanity. Selah. Verily, man walketh in a vain show; verily they are disquieted in vain; he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.
Men of low degree are only vanity; men of high degree, a lie: laid in the balance, they go up together [lighter] than vanity.
Remember, as regards me, what life is. Wherefore hast thou created all the children of men to be vanity?
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities! all is vanity.
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 144
Commentary on Psalms 144 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 144
Ps 144:1-15. David's praise of God as his all-sufficient help is enhanced by a recognition of the intrinsic worthlessness of man. Confidently imploring God's interposition against his enemies, he breaks forth into praise and joyful anticipations of the prosperity of his kingdom, when freed from vain and wicked men.