What does Psalm 144:4 mean?
ESV: Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
NIV: They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow.
NASB: Man is like the breath; His days are like a passing shadow.
CSB: A human is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
NLT: For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow.
KJV: Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
NKJV: Man is like a breath; His days are like a passing shadow.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 144:1–4 praises the Lord for preparing David for battle, for protecting him, and for subduing people under him. In contrast to Lord's loving, mighty character, David portrays man as finite. It is amazing that the Lord cares for men, whose lives are short and fragile.
Chapter Summary:
David begins by praising the Lord for ability, protection, and success in battle. This is amazing because humanity is so frail and temporary compared to God. Still, David asks for the Lord's intervention. Enemy nations and those who make false promises plague David. Yet he confidently plans to praise the Lord for the anticipated victory. The song ends with a prayer for the nation of Israel to experience prosperity. This is expected when the king is preserved, and such blessings are part of being God's chosen people.
Chapter Context:
Psalm 18 contains many of the same ideas and phrases as this song. There (Psalm 18:50), as here (Psalm 144:10), David also refers to himself by name. The psalm may be connected to David's defeat of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:51), his ascension to the throne (2 Samuel 2:4; 5:3), or one of his many combat victories (1 Samuel 18:5, 14). The right hand would have been raised to make an oath; those whose right hands lie are making false vows.
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
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