New Living Translation
Psalms 78:39
39For he remembered that they were merely mortal, gone like a breath of wind that never returns.
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 did not keep his covenant. 38Yet he was merciful and forgave their sins and did not destroy them all. Many times he held back his anger and did not unleash his fury! For he remembered that they were merely mortal, gone like a breath of wind that never returns. 40Oh, how often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved his heart in that dry wasteland. 41Again and again they tested God’s patience and provoked 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 how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust.
- Genesis 6:3Then the Lord said, “My Spirit will not put up with humans for such a long time, for they are only mortal flesh. In the future, their normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.”
- John 3:6Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.
- Job 7:7O God, remember that my life is but a breath, and I will never again feel happiness.
- James 4:14How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
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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