Psalm 39:6 - I Will Watch My Ways
Surely every man goes about like a phantom;
This phrase highlights the transient and insubstantial nature of human life. The imagery of a "phantom" suggests something that is fleeting and lacks substance. In biblical context, this reflects the wisdom literature's frequent emphasis on the brevity of life, as seen in Job 14:2 and James 4:14, where life is compared to a mist or shadow. The Hebrew word for "phantom" can also be translated as "image" or "shadow," emphasizing the temporary and illusory nature of human existence. This aligns with the biblical theme that life on earth is temporary and that true substance is found in the eternal.
surely he bustles in vain;
The phrase underscores the futility of human efforts when they are disconnected from eternal purposes. The word "bustles" suggests frantic activity, yet it is described as "in vain," echoing the sentiments of Ecclesiastes, where the Preacher declares that all is vanity. This reflects the cultural context of ancient Israel, where wisdom literature often critiqued the pursuit of wealth and status as ultimately meaningless without a relationship with God. The New Testament echoes this in Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth.
he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.
This phrase points to the uncertainty and impermanence of material wealth. The act of "heaping up riches" is portrayed as futile because the individual has no control over what happens to their wealth after death. This is reminiscent of the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21, where Jesus warns against storing up earthly treasures without being rich toward God. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of wealth as a temporary and unreliable source of security. The phrase also serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that true security and inheritance are found in God, as seen in Proverbs 23:4-5 and 1 Timothy 6:7.
Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 39, David is expressing his reflections on the brevity and futility of life without God.
2. Israel
The nation to whom David belonged and often addressed in his psalms, providing a cultural and religious context for his writings.
3. God
The central figure in the psalm, to whom David directs his thoughts and prayers, seeking understanding and purpose.
4. Mankind
Represented in the psalm as transient and often misguided in their pursuits, highlighting the universal human condition.
5. Riches
Symbolic of earthly pursuits and material wealth, which are ultimately temporary and uncertain.
Teaching Points
The Transience of Life
Life is fleeting, like a phantom or shadow, reminding us to focus on eternal rather than temporary pursuits.
The Futility of Earthly Pursuits
Human efforts and the accumulation of wealth are ultimately in vain if not aligned with God's purposes.
The Importance of Eternal Perspective
We should prioritize spiritual riches and eternal values over material wealth, as earthly possessions are uncertain and temporary.
Trust in God's Sovereignty
Recognizing the limitations of human control, we should trust in God's plan and provision for our lives.
Living with Purpose
Our lives should be directed by God's will, seeking to fulfill His purposes rather than our own ambitions.
(6) Surely every man . . .--Better, only as a shadow walks a man. A very commonplace of poetry, from the ????? ???? ???????? of Pindar downwards. Thus Sophocles, "I see that we who live are nothing else but images and vain shadows;" Horace, "Pulvis et umbra sumus; Burke, "What shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue."
The above rendering treats the preposition as the beth essentiae. If, however, we keep the Authorised Version, the thought is of man's life, not as a reality, but as a show, a picture, a phantasma (see margin), and himself only an imaginary actor. But this seems modern for the psalms. Shakespeare, no doubt with this passage in his mind, has combined it with the more obvious image:--
"Out, out, brief candle,
Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more."
Surely they . . . --Better, Only for a breath they make a stir.
He heapeth up.--The substantive is left by the Hebrew to be supplied. So we talk of the desire of "accumulating." (For the whole passage, comp. James 4:13-14; Luke 12:16-21.) . . .
Verse 6. - Surely every man walketh in a vain show; literally, in an image, or "as an image;" i.e. with a mere semblance of life, but without the reality. Surely they are disquieted in vain. Their restless strivings are to no end, have no result. He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them (comp. Job 27:16, 17; Ecclesiastes 2:18, 21). Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Surely
אַךְ־ (’aḵ-)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely
every man
אִ֗ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person
goes about
יִֽתְהַלֶּךְ־ (yiṯ·hal·leḵ-)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk
like a phantom;
בְּצֶ֤לֶם ׀ (bə·ṣe·lem)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6754: A phantom, illusion, resemblance, a representative figure, an idol
surely
אַךְ־ (’aḵ-)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely
he bustles
יֶהֱמָי֑וּן (ye·hĕ·mā·yūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 1993: To make a, loud sound, commotion, tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor
in vain;
הֶ֥בֶל (he·ḇel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory
he heaps up [riches]
יִ֝צְבֹּ֗ר (yiṣ·bōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6651: To aggregate
not
וְֽלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no
knowing
יֵדַ֥ע (yê·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know
who
מִי־ (mî-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix
will haul them away.
אֹסְפָֽם׃ (’ō·sə·p̄ām)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove
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Psalm 39:6 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Psalm 39:6 Surely every man walks like a shadow (Psalm Ps Psa.)