Psalms 144:4

4 His life doesn't last any longer than a breath. His days are like a shadow that quickly disappears.

Psalms 144:4 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 144:4

Man is like to vanity
Is vanity itself, in every age, state, and condition; yea, in his best estate, ( Psalms 39:5 ) ; or, "to the breath" ^F8 of the mouth, as Kimchi; which is gone as soon as seen almost: or, to a vapour ^F9; to which the life of man is compared, ( James 4:14 ) ; his days [are] as a shadow that passeth away;
as the former denotes the frailty and mortality of man, this the shortness of his duration; his days fleeing away, and of no more continuance than the shadow cast by the sun, which presently declines and is gone.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 (lbhl) "halitui", Muis; so Kimchi.
F9 "Vapori", Cocceius; so the Syriac and Arabic versions

Psalms 144:4 In-Context

2 He is my loving God. He is like a fort to me. He is my place of safety and the One who saves me. He is like a shield that keeps me safe. I go to him for safety. He brings nations under my control.

3 Lord, what is a human being that you take care of him? What is a son of man that you think about him?

4 His life doesn't last any longer than a breath. His days are like a shadow that quickly disappears.

5 Lord, open up your heavens and come down. Touch the mountains, and they will pour out smoke.

6 Send flashes of lightning and scatter my enemies. Shoot your arrows and chase them away.