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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadMatthew Poole Commentary - Psalms 39:5 - 39:5
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
As an handbreadth, which is one of the least measures, i.e. very short. These and the following words are either,
1. A continuance of his complaint, that although his days were of themselves very short, yet God seemed to grudge him their natural length, and threatened to make them shorter, and to cut him off before his time. Or rather,
2. A consolation, and correction of his last words, as if he said, Why am I so greedy to know the end of my life, seeing I do already know this, that my life cannot last very long, and therefore if my troubles be sharp, they will be but short?
Nothing; next to nothing for substance and for continuance.
Before thee, i.e. in thy judgment, and therefore in truth and reality; or, if compared with thee, and with thy everlasting duration: compare Psa_90:4 2Pe_3:8.
Every man, prince or peasant, wise or fools, good or bad.
At his best state; Heb. though settled or established; when he stands fastest, and likely to continue longest, in regard of his health and strength, and all possible means whereby life may be secured, supported, or prolonged.
Altogether vanity; all that he is or hath is as light, and vain, and unstable as vanity itself; there is nothing but vanity and uncertainty in all his outward enjoyments, in the constitution of his body, yea, in the very temper and endowments of his mind: by which general condition of all mankind he endeavours to quiet and compose his mind to bear the common lot.