New English Translation
Psalms 78:39
39He remembered that they were made of flesh, and were like a wind that blows past 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
37They were not really committed to him, and they were unfaithful to his covenant. 38Yet he is compassionate. He forgives sin and does not destroy. He often holds back his anger, and does not stir up his fury. He remembered that they were made of flesh, and were like a wind that blows past and does not return. 40How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness, and insulted him in the desert! 41They again challenged God, and offended the Holy One of Israel.
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 103:14For he knows what we are made of; he realizes we are made of clay.
- Genesis 6:3So the Lord said, “My spirit will not remain in humankind indefinitely, since they are mortal. They will remain for 120 more years.”
- John 3:6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
- Job 7:7Remember that my life is but a breath, that my eyes will never again see happiness.
- James 4:14You do not know about tomorrow. What is your life like? For you are a puff of smoke that appears for a short time and then vanishes.
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
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