What does Psalm 89:47 mean?
ESV: Remember how short my time is! For what vanity you have created all the children of man!
NIV: Remember how fleeting is my life. For what futility you have created all humanity!
NASB: Remember what my lifespan is; For what futility You have created all the sons of mankind!
CSB: Remember how short my life is. Have you created everyone for nothing?
NLT: Remember how short my life is, how empty and futile this human existence!
KJV: Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
NKJV: Remember how short my time is; For what futility have You created all the children of men?
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 89:46–52 closes the psalm begging the Lord to reverse Israel's fortunes before the psalmist dies. In this time of crisis, life itself seems pointless. While Israel is insulted and mocked, the psalmist calls on God to see and respond. History provides no indication of what was happening, but some suggest this was written about the Jewish exile under Babylon (2 Kings 24:10–16). Another possibility is an Egyptian raid (1 Kings 14:25–28) during the time of Rehoboam.
Chapter Summary:
This psalm is not directly connected to other events in Scripture; it might be associated with the Babylonian captivity (2 Kings 24:10–16) or the Egyptian raid against Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:25–28). The psalmist begins by praising God for His loyal love. It applauds His covenant with David. However, this turns to grief over apparent defeats and humiliations. The psalm ends with a plea for the Lord to remember His promises and reverse Israel's fortunes.
Chapter Context:
This psalm is attributed to Ethan, a Levite (1 Chronicles 15:17–18). The content suggests Israel had suffered one or more crushing defeats (1 Kings 14:25–28; 2 Kings 24:10–16). So, after celebrating God's love in establishing David's throne, the tone quickly turns to bitter mourning. This combination—faith paralleled with honest angst—is a common theme in the psalms (Psalm 22; 73; 74).
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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