Remember how short my time is. Consider how short-lived is the whole race of men. Come, therefore, to our deliverance quickly. Wherefore hast thou made all men in vain? literally, for what vanity thou hast made all the sons of men. Another point suggested for God's consideration, as fitted to call forth his compassion. read more
The argument from the brevity of life. "Remember how short my time is." This is the argument of an old man, who knows there can be but a "little while" before his passing time, and is supremely anxious to see the ways of the Lord justified while he is "in the land of the living" Compare Hezekiah's exclamation, when told that he must die. As Ethan was born in the reign of David, and lived through the forty years of Solomon's reign, he must have been an old man in the later time of Rehoboam.... read more
How long, Lord? - How long is this to continue? Can it be that this is to continue always? Is there to be no change for the better? Are the promises which have been made, never to be fulfilled? Compare Psalms 13:1, note; Psalms 77:7-9, notes.Wilt thou hide thyself for ever? - Thy favor. Wilt thou never come forth and manifest thyself as the Helper of those who trust in thee?Shall thy wrath burn like fire? - Fire which entirely consumes; fire which never ceases as long as there is anything to... read more
Remember how short my time is - The word rendered “time” - חלד cheled - means duration; lifetime. Psalms 39:5. Then it means life; time; age; the world. Literally, here, “Remember; I; what duration.” The meaning is plain. Bear in remembrance that my time must soon come to an end. Life is brief. In a short period the time will come for me to die; and if these promises are fulfilled to me, it must be done soon. Remember that these troubles and sorrows cannot continue for a much longer period... read more
Psalms 89:47. Remember how short my time is That is, our time, the time of our king and kingdom, in whose name the psalmist put up this petition, and about whom he was much more solicitous than about himself, as is evident, both from the following verses and from the whole body of the Psalm. The sense seems to be this: Our king and all his people, and I among the rest, are short-lived and perishing creatures, who of ourselves, and according to the course of nature, must shortly die, and... read more
Psalms 89:0 Remember the covenant with DavidApparently Israel had suffered some military setback that threatened its existence. This caused some people to think that God had forsaken his anointed king. The psalmist therefore recalls the covenant promise God made to David to preserve his dynasty for ever, and on the basis of this he claims God’s help (1-4; see 2 Samuel 7:8-16).Before speaking further of the covenant, the psalmist praises God for his majesty and greatness. None among the... read more
Shall. Supply Ellipsis from preceding line: "[How long] shall", &c. read more
time = lifetime. men = sons of Adam. App-14 . read more
Psalms 89:47. Remember how short my time is— Remember, as to my own part, what my being is. See Psalms 39:4, Or, Remember what my age is. All men, in the next clause, means "all of us who labour under this wretched captivity." In vain, signifies as if we were made for nothing else but to be miserable, and die. The Psalmist makes use of the next verse as an argument to incline God to suffer the captive Jews to spend the short time which remained of their lives in a more comfortable condition.... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 89:46-51
The psalm ends with an appeal to God—"How long" is the present state of things to continue? How long is God's wrath to endure? Will he not remember how weak and futile, how short-lived and fleeting, the whole race of man is? Well he not bethink him of his old loving kindnesses to David, and of the promises made to him, and confirmed by oath? Will he not therefore remove their reproach from Israel, and especially from his anointed, on whom the disgrace chiefly falls? To these questions there... read more