Psalm 39:11
New International Version
When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth— surely everyone is but a breath.

New Living Translation
When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth what is precious to us. Each of us is but a breath. Interlude

English Standard Version
When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

Berean Standard Bible
You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor. Selah

King James Bible
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

New King James Version
When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity, You make his beauty melt away like a moth; Surely every man is vapor. Selah

New American Standard Bible
“With rebukes You punish a person for wrongdoing; You consume like a moth what is precious to him; Certainly all mankind is mere breath! Selah

NASB 1995
“With reproofs You chasten a man for iniquity; You consume as a moth what is precious to him; Surely every man is a mere breath. Selah.

NASB 1977
“With reproofs Thou dost chasten a man for iniquity; Thou dost consume as a moth what is precious to him; Surely every man is a mere breath. Selah.

Legacy Standard Bible
With reproofs You chasten a man for iniquity; You consume as a moth what is precious to him; Surely every man is vanity. Selah.

Amplified Bible
“With rebukes You discipline man for sin; You consume like a moth what is precious to him; Surely every man is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]. Selah.

Christian Standard Bible
You discipline a person with punishment for iniquity, consuming like a moth what is precious to him; yes, every human being is only a vapor. Selah

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You discipline a man with punishment for sin, consuming like a moth what is precious to him; every man is only a vapor. Selah “

American Standard Version
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: Surely every man is vanity. [Selah

Contemporary English Version
You punish us severely because of our sins. Like a moth, you destroy what we treasure most. We are as frail as a breath.

English Revised Version
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah

GOD'S WORD® Translation
With stern warnings you discipline people for their crimes. Like a moth you eat away at what is dear to them. Certainly, everyone is like a whisper in the wind. [Selah]

Good News Translation
You punish our sins by your rebukes, and like a moth you destroy what we love. Indeed we are no more than a puff of wind!

International Standard Version
You rebuke by chastening a man with the consequence of iniquities; you destroy what is attractive to him, as one would treat a moth. Indeed, every person is a puff of wind. Interlude

Majority Standard Bible
You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor. Selah

NET Bible
You severely discipline people for their sins; like a moth you slowly devour their strength. Surely all people are a mere vapor. (Selah)

New Heart English Bible
When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath." Selah.

Webster's Bible Translation
When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

World English Bible
When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, you consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath.” Selah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
With reproofs against iniquity, "" You have corrected man, "" And dissolve his desirableness as a moth, "" Only, every man [is] vanity. Selah.

Young's Literal Translation
With reproofs against iniquity, Thou hast corrected man, And dost waste as a moth his desirableness, Only, vanity is every man. Selah.

Smith's Literal Translation
With corrections for iniquity thou didst correct man, and thou wilt melt down as a moth his beauty: surely every man is vanity. Silence.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
thou hast corrected man for iniquity. And thou hast made his soul to waste away like a spider : surely in vain is any man disquieted.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I fall short at corrections from the strength of your hand. For you have chastised man for iniquity. And you have made his soul shrink away like a spider. Nevertheless, it is in vain that any man be disquieted.

New American Bible
You chastise man with rebukes for sin; like a moth you consume his treasures. Every man is but a breath. Selah

New Revised Standard Version
“You chastise mortals in punishment for sin, consuming like a moth what is dear to them; surely everyone is a mere breath. Selah
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I am consumed by rebuke on account of my sins; thou dost chastise a man and dost remove his desires like stubble. Verily all men are like a breath.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I am wasted by rebuke for the sake of my sins. You have chastened man, and you have put away his desires like stubble and all the children of men are like a vapor.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
With rebukes dost Thou chasten man for iniquity, And like a moth Thou makest his beauty to consume away; Surely every man is vanity. Selah

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou chastenest man with rebukes for iniquity, and thou makest his life to consume away like a spider's web; nay, every man is disquieted in vain. Pause.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Will Watch My Ways
10Remove Your scourge from me; I am perishing by the force of Your hand. 11You discipline and correct a man for his iniquity, consuming like a moth what he holds dear; surely each man is but a vapor. Selah 12Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping. For I am a foreigner dwelling with You, a stranger like all my fathers.…

Cross References
James 4:14
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Isaiah 40:6-8
A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

1 Peter 1:24
For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

Job 14:1-2
“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.

1 Corinthians 3:13
his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.

Isaiah 64:6
Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. / For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison. / So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Job 7:7
Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.

Hebrews 12:5-11
And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. / For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” / Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ...

Proverbs 30:8-9
Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. / Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Job 13:28
So man wastes away like something rotten, like a moth-eaten garment.

1 Timothy 6:7
For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it.

Ecclesiastes 1:2
“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!”

Luke 12:15-21
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ...


Treasury of Scripture

When you with rebukes do correct man for iniquity, you make his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.

When

Psalm 38:1-8
A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure…

Psalm 90:7-10
For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled…

1 Corinthians 5:5
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

his beauty [heb.

Psalm 102:10,11
Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down…

Job 4:19
How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?

Job 13:28
And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.

surely

Psalm 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.

Jump to Previous
Beauty Breath Chasten Consume Correct Discipline Form Glory Iniquity Makest Mere Moth Precious Rebuke Rebukes Reproofs Selah Sin Surely Vanity Wasted Wealth Weight Wrath
Jump to Next
Beauty Breath Chasten Consume Correct Discipline Form Glory Iniquity Makest Mere Moth Precious Rebuke Rebukes Reproofs Selah Sin Surely Vanity Wasted Wealth Weight Wrath
Psalm 39
1. David's care of his thoughts
4. The consideration of the brevity and vanity of life
7. the reverence of God's judgments
10. and prayer, are his bridles of impatience














You discipline a man
The Hebrew root for "discipline" is "yasar," which implies correction or chastening. In the biblical context, discipline is an act of love from God, intended to guide individuals back to righteousness. Hebrews 12:6 echoes this sentiment, stating, "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves." This phrase underscores the personal nature of God's interaction with humanity, emphasizing that His discipline is not arbitrary but purposeful, aiming to refine and restore.

with punishment for iniquity
The term "punishment" here is derived from the Hebrew "tokachath," which can also mean reproof or rebuke. "Iniquity" translates from "avon," indicating moral perversity or sin. This phrase highlights the just nature of God, who addresses sin directly. It serves as a reminder that sin has consequences, and God's reproof is a necessary response to human transgression, aligning with His holy and righteous character.

consuming like a moth
The imagery of a moth is significant in biblical literature, often symbolizing destruction or decay. In the ancient Near Eastern context, moths were known for their ability to silently and gradually destroy valuable fabrics. This metaphor illustrates the subtle yet inevitable nature of divine correction, which can erode the superficial aspects of life that people often hold dear, urging them to focus on eternal values.

what he holds dear
This phrase speaks to the temporal and fragile nature of earthly possessions and achievements. The Hebrew context suggests a focus on material wealth or personal pride, which can be easily consumed or taken away. It serves as a caution against placing ultimate value on transient things, encouraging believers to prioritize their relationship with God and eternal treasures.

surely each man is but a vapor
The word "vapor" comes from the Hebrew "hebel," which conveys the idea of breath or vanity. This phrase is a poignant reminder of human mortality and the fleeting nature of life. It echoes the sentiments found in Ecclesiastes, where life is described as "meaningless" without God. This perspective encourages humility and a reliance on God, recognizing that true significance is found in Him alone.

Selah
"Selah" is a term used frequently in the Psalms, though its exact meaning is debated. It is often thought to be a musical or liturgical pause, inviting the reader or listener to reflect on the preceding words. In this context, "Selah" calls for contemplation on the themes of divine discipline, the transience of life, and the importance of aligning one's values with God's eternal purposes. It is an invitation to pause and internalize the profound truths presented in the verse.

(11) When.--This is unnecessary. With judgments for sin Thou chastenest a man.

Rebukes.--The word rendered "reproofs" in Psalm 38:14, where see Note.

Beauty.--Literally, Something desirable. (See margin.) Thou, like a moth (consuming a garment: see Pr. Bk. Version), causest his desirable things to melt. (For the image, singularly apt. and natural in a country where "changes of raiment" were so prized, and hoarded up as wealth, comp. Job 13:28; Matthew 6:19; James 5:2.)

Verse 11. - When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity. The calamities which God sends on a man are of the nature of "rebukes" addressed to his spirit. They are intended to teach, instruct, warn, deter from evil-doing (see Job 36:8-10). Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth; or, "thou dost consume, as by a moth, what he prizes;" i.e. his health, his strength, "all wherein he has joy and satisfaction" (Hengstenberg). As a moth corrodes a beautiful garment, so does thy displeasure and heavy hand pressing on him corrode and destroy all which constituted his delight and glory. Surely every man is vanity (comp. ver. 5 ad fin.). This has become a sort of refrain, terminating the second as well as the first part of the psalm (comp. Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31; Ecclesiastes 2:1, 11, 15, 19, 21, 23, 26; Isaiah 9:12, 17, 21).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You discipline
יִסַּ֬רְתָּ (yis·sar·tā)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3256: To discipline, chasten, admonish

and correct
בְּֽתוֹכָ֘ח֤וֹת (bə·ṯō·w·ḵā·ḥō·wṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8433: Chastisement, correction, refutation, proof

a man
אִ֗ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

his iniquity,
עָוֺ֨ן ׀ (‘ā·wōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

consuming
וַתֶּ֣מֶס (wat·te·mes)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 4529: To melt, dissolve, be liquefied

like a moth
כָּעָ֣שׁ (kā·‘āš)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6211: A moth

what he holds dear;
חֲמוּד֑וֹ (ḥă·mū·ḏōw)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2530: To desire, take pleasure in

surely
אַ֤ךְ (’aḵ)
Adverb
Strong's 389: A particle of affirmation, surely

each
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

man
אָדָ֣ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

[is] but a vapor.
הֶ֖בֶל (he·ḇel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory

Selah
סֶֽלָה׃ (se·lāh)
Interjection
Strong's 5542: Suspension, pause


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OT Poetry: Psalm 39:11 When you rebuke and correct man (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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