Psalm 39:5 Behold, you have made my days as an handbreadth; and my age is as nothing before you… I. THY SUBJECT OF THE PSALMIST'S MEDITATION. "Every man in his best state." How glorious was the condition in which man was created. But from that he fell. Still, through God's mercy in Christ, his condition is one of many blessings. He may have the Divine favour, and he may dwell in the Divine presence here. But the psalmist was thinking of man in the state in which he possesses the greatest share of worldly advantages, and in which other men are wont to call him most happy. Picture such a man — thee citizen, the philosopher, the monarch. II. HEAR WHAT IS SAID OF SUCH AN ONE, the humiliating fact that he is "altogether vanity." For death at any moment may come and strike down the sturdiest frame, the possessor of the greatest prosperity. Remember this, and prepare for the eternal life. III. THE EMPHATICAL MANNER IS WHICH IT IS URGED ON OUR ATTENTION. "Verily," every man at, etc., etc. And we need that the truth should be enforced, manifest and common as it is. (W. Curling, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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