Psalms 39:5
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.
Psalms 39:5
Verse 5: “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.” The image of life as a handbreadth emphasizes brevity and fragility; human achievement, even at its height, appears fleeting compared to God’s eternal perspective. “Vanity” (hebel in Hebrew) signals emptiness apart from aligning with God. The Selah invites contemplation—pause and reflect on the truth just stated. The verse frames human life under God’s sovereignty, urging humility and dependence. In the Psalmist’s context, long suffering and frailty temper any sense of self-sufficiency, directing worship toward the steadfast, unseen reality of the Creator.
This verse anchors a robust biblical anthropology: life is brief, human effort is transient without divine context, and God’s eternal perspective redefines value. The notion that “every man at his best state is altogether vanity” challenges self-glorification and sets the stage for dependence on God’s mercy. It also foreshadows the NT emphasis on eternal weight of glory versus temporary afflictions (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Theologically, it invites believers to orient their hopes not in achievements but in God’s enduring faithfulness.
Practical steps:
- Reevaluate goals: are they oriented toward lasting eternal value or passing comfort?
- Practice gratitude for God’s sovereignty over time and life’s brevity.
- Cultivate generosity—invest in relationships and causes that outlast you.
- Use “Selah” moments to pause, breathe, and re-center on God’s purposes.
- Let go of perfectionism; pursue faithful obedience rather than flawless status.
Cross-References: Ecclesiastes 1:2; Isaiah 40:6-8; 1 Peter 1:24-25; Psalm 39:4-5