God’s Word Translation
Psalms 78:39
39He remembered that they were only flesh and blood, a breeze that blows and does not return.
Psalms 78:39 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
- New International Version (NIV)He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.
- English Standard Version (ESV)He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For He remembered that they were but flesh, A breath that passes away and does not come again.
Context of Psalms 78:39
37Their hearts were not loyal to him. They were not faithful to his promise. 38But he is compassionate. He forgave their sin. He did not destroy them. He restrained his anger many times. He did not display all of his fury. He remembered that they were only flesh and blood, a breeze that blows and does not return. 40How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness! How often they caused him grief in the desert! 41Again and again they tested God, and they pushed the Holy One of Israel to the limit.
Read all of Psalms 78Psalms 78:39 word by word
וַ֭יִּזְכֹּר כִּי־בָשָׂ֣ר הֵ֑מָּה ר֥וּחַ ה֝וֹלֵ֗ךְ וְלֹ֣א יָשֽׁוּב׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 78:39
- Psalms 103:14He certainly knows what we are made of. He bears in mind that we are dust.
- Genesis 6:3Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not struggle with humans forever, because they are flesh and blood. They will live 120 years.”
- John 3:6Flesh and blood give birth to flesh and blood, but the Spirit gives birth to things that are spiritual.
- Job 7:7Remember, my life is only a breath, and never again will my eyes see anything good.
- James 4:14You don’t know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears.
Commentaries on Psalms 78:39
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 39He remembered that they were but flesh - Weak mortals. He took their feeble perishing state always into consideration, and knew how much they needed the whole of their state of probation; and therefore he bore with them to the uttermost. How merciful is God! A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again - I believe this to be a bad translation and may be productive of error; as if when a man dies his being were ended, and death were an eternal sleep. The…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 39For he remembered that they were but flesh - That they were human; that they were weak; that they were prone to err; that they were liable to fall into temptation. In his dealings with them he took into view their fallen nature; their training; their temptations; their trials; their weaknesses; and he judged them accordingly. Compare Psalm 103:14. So it was with the Saviour in his treatment of his disciples, “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-39Verses 9-39 Sin dispirits men, and takes away the heart. Forgetfulness of God's works is the cause of disobedience to his laws. This narrative relates a struggle between God's goodness and man's badness. The Lord hears all our murmurings and distrusts, and is much displeased. Those that will not believe the power of God's mercy, shall feel the fire of his indignation. Those cannot be said to trust in God's salvation as their happiness at last, who can not…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 35-39The Israelites remembered the correct teaching about God (Psalms 9:9; 91:1), but they did not let God change the way they thought and lived (Leviticus 26:41).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33-3933-39. Though there were partial reformations after chastisement, and God, in pity, withdrew His hand for a time, yet their general conduct was rebellious, and He was thus provoked to waste and destroy them, by long and fruitless wandering in the desert.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 78:39
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 78
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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