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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 39:6 Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/39-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/19_Psa_039_006.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 39:6 - I Will Watch My Ways" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/39-6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/39-6.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/39.htm">Chapter 39</a> > Verse 6</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/39-5.htm" title="Psalm 39:5">◄</a> Psalm 39:6 <a href="/psalms/39-7.htm" title="Psalm 39:7">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/psalms/39.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. <a href="/nlt/psalms/39.htm">New Living Translation</a> We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. <a href="/esv/psalms/39.htm">English Standard Version</a> Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather! <a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. <a href="/kjv/psalms/39.htm">King James Bible</a> Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. <a href="/nkjv/psalms/39.htm">New King James Version</a> Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them. <a href="/nasb_/psalms/39.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Certainly every person walks around as a fleeting shadow; They certainly make an uproar for nothing; He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them. <a href="/nasb/psalms/39.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Surely every man walks about as a phantom; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them. <a href="/nasb77/psalms/39.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Surely every man walks about as a phantom; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; He amasses riches, and does not know who will gather them. <a href="/lsb/psalms/39.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Surely every man walks about as a shadow; Surely they make an uproar in vain; He piles up riches and does not know who will gather them. <a href="/amp/psalms/39.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Surely every man walks around like a shadow [in a charade]; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; Each one builds up riches, not knowing who will receive them. <a href="/csb/psalms/39.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Yes, a person goes about like a mere shadow. Indeed, they rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them. <a href="/hcsb/psalms/39.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Certainly, man walks about like a mere shadow. Indeed, they frantically rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them. <a href="/asv/psalms/39.htm">American Standard Version</a> Surely every man walketh in a vain show; Surely they are disquieted in vain: He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. <a href="/cev/psalms/39.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and it disappears like a shadow. Our struggles are senseless; we store up more and more, without ever knowing who will get it all. <a href="/erv/psalms/39.htm">English Revised Version</a> Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. <a href="/gwt/psalms/39.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Each person who walks around is like a shadow. They are busy for no reason. They accumulate riches without knowing who will get them." <a href="/gnt/psalms/39.htm">Good News Translation</a> no more than a shadow. All we do is for nothing; we gather wealth, but don't know who will get it. <a href="/isv/psalms/39.htm">International Standard Version</a> In fact, people walk around as shadows. Surely, they busy themselves for nothing, heaping up possessions but not knowing who will get them. <a href="/msb/psalms/39.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. <a href="/net/psalms/39.htm">NET Bible</a> Surely people go through life as mere ghosts. Surely they accumulate worthless wealth without knowing who will eventually haul it away." <a href="/nheb/psalms/39.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Surely a person goes about like a shadow. Surely he heaps up vain things of wealth, and doesn't know who shall gather them. <a href="/wbt/psalms/39.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Surely every man walketh in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. <a href="/web/psalms/39.htm">World English Bible</a> “Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/psalms/39.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Only, each habitually walks in an image, "" Only, [in] vain, they are disquieted, "" He heaps up and does not know who gathers them. <a href="/ylt/psalms/39.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Only, in an image doth each walk habitually, Only, in vain, they are disquieted, He heapeth up and knoweth not who gathereth them. <a href="/slt/psalms/39.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Surely in a shadow a man will go about: surely they will be disquieted in vain: he will store up, and he knew not who shall gather them.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/psalms/39.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Surely man passeth as an image : yea, and he is disquieted in vain. He storeth up : and he knoweth not for whom he shall gather these things. <a href="/cpdv/psalms/39.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> <V 38:7>So then, truly man passes by like an image; even so, he is disquieted in vain. He stores up, and he knows not for whom he will gather these things. <a href="/nabre/psalms/39.htm">New American Bible</a> Man goes about as a mere phantom; they hurry about, although in vain; he heaps up stores without knowing for whom. <a href="/nrsvce/psalms/39.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Surely everyone goes about like a shadow. Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; they heap up, and do not know who will gather.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/psalms/39.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Because every man walks as an image, he disappears as a breath; he buries treasures and knows not who shall gather them. <a href="/hpbt/psalms/39.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Because a man walks in an image and he fades away like a vapor; he lays down treasures and does not know for whom he gathered them.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/psalms/39.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Surely man walketh as a mere semblance; Surely for vanity they are in turmoil; He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. <a href="/sep/psalms/39.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Surely man walks in a shadow; nay, he is disquieted in vain: he lays up treasures, and knows not for whom he shall gather them. <a href="/parallel/psalms/39-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=4599" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm">I Will Watch My Ways</a> …5You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah 6<a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ- (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">Surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">every man</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: yiṯ·hal·leḵ- (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">goes about</a> <a href="/hebrew/6754.htm" title="6754: bə·ṣe·lem (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- From an unused root meaning to shade; a phantom, i.e. illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol.">like a phantom;</a> <a href="/hebrew/389.htm" title="389: ’aḵ- (Adv) -- Surely, howbeit. Akin to 'aken; a particle of affirmation, surely; hence only.">surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/1993.htm" title="1993: ye·hĕ·mā·yūn (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp:: Pn) -- A primitive root; to make a loud sound like Engl. hum); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor.">he bustles</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: he·ḇel (N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">in vain;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6651.htm" title="6651: yiṣ·bōr (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To heap up. A primitive root; to aggregate.">he heaps up riches</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yê·ḏa‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">knowing</a> <a href="/hebrew/4310.htm" title="4310: mî- (Interrog) -- An interrogative pronoun of persons, as mah is of things, who?; also whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/622.htm" title="622: ’ō·sə·p̄ām (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc:: 3mp) -- To gather, remove. A primitive root; to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. Remove.">will haul them away.</a> 7And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a> You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:2</a> “Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!” <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:12</a> For who knows what is good for a man during the few days in which he passes through his fleeting life like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will come after him under the sun? <a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a> For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, <a href="/job/7-7.htm">Job 7:7</a> Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness. <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:11</a> Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-31.htm">1 Corinthians 7:31</a> and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away. <a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1-2</a> “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble. / Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure. <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:19-20</a> For the fates of both men and beasts are the same: As one dies, so dies the other—they all have the same breath. Man has no advantage over the animals, since everything is futile. / All go to one place; all come from dust, and all return to dust. <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a> Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. <a href="/luke/12-20.htm">Luke 12:20-21</a> But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ / This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” <a href="/psalms/90-5.htm">Psalm 90:5-6</a> You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning— / in the morning it springs up new, but by evening it fades and withers. <a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-7</a> A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. <a href="/proverbs/27-1.htm">Proverbs 27:1</a> Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. <a href="/1_john/2-17.htm">1 John 2:17</a> The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Surely every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows not who shall gather them.a vain whew.<a href="/1_corinthians/7-31.htm">1 Corinthians 7:31</a> And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.<a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a> Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.surely<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:14</a> I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.<a href="/ecclesiastes/2-17.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:17,18,20,21</a> Therefore I hated life; because the work that is wrought under the sun is grievous unto me: for all is vanity and vexation of spirit… <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:7,8</a> Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun… he heapeth<a href="/psalms/49-10.htm">Psalm 49:10,11</a> For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others… <a href="/job/27-16.htm">Job 27:16,17</a> Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; … <a href="/proverbs/13-22.htm">Proverbs 13:22</a> A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/12-21.htm">Amasses</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-40.htm">Busy</a> <a href="/psalms/6-10.htm">Disquieted</a> <a href="/job/28-4.htm">Fro</a> <a href="/psalms/35-15.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/psalms/33-7.htm">Gathereth</a> <a href="/psalms/38-4.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/35-14.htm">Habitually</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-5.htm">Heapeth</a> <a href="/job/27-16.htm">Heaps</a> <a href="/job/4-16.htm">Image</a> <a href="/psalms/37-23.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/psalms/33-10.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/psalms/36-5.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/psalms/37-16.htm">Riches</a> <a href="/ezekiel/10-21.htm">Semblance</a> <a href="/psalms/36-7.htm">Shadow</a> <a href="/psalms/27-11.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/psalms/39-4.htm">Show</a> <a href="/psalms/37-16.htm">Store</a> <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/psalms/38-16.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/psalms/38-18.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/job/30-27.htm">Turmoil</a> <a href="/psalms/2-1.htm">Uproar</a> <a href="/psalms/33-17.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Verily</a> <a href="/psalms/37-14.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/psalms/15-2.htm">Walketh</a> <a href="/psalms/15-2.htm">Walks</a> <a href="/psalms/37-34.htm">Way</a> <a href="/psalms/37-16.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/28-8.htm">Amasses</a> <a href="/psalms/141-4.htm">Busy</a> <a href="/psalms/42-5.htm">Disquieted</a> <a href="/psalms/59-11.htm">Fro</a> <a href="/psalms/47-9.htm">Gather</a> <a href="/psalms/41-6.htm">Gathereth</a> <a href="/psalms/40-9.htm">Great</a> <a href="/psalms/56-13.htm">Habitually</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Heapeth</a> <a href="/psalms/79-1.htm">Heaps</a> <a href="/psalms/73-20.htm">Image</a> <a href="/psalms/40-4.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/psalms/39-11.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/psalms/44-12.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/psalms/57-2.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/psalms/49-6.htm">Riches</a> <a href="/psalms/73-20.htm">Semblance</a> <a href="/psalms/44-19.htm">Shadow</a> <a href="/psalms/49-6.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/psalms/50-23.htm">Show</a> <a href="/psalms/41-6.htm">Store</a> <a href="/psalms/39-11.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/psalms/44-10.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/psalms/42-5.htm">Troubled</a> <a href="/psalms/65-7.htm">Turmoil</a> <a href="/psalms/46-6.htm">Uproar</a> <a href="/psalms/60-11.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/psalms/39-11.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/psalms/58-11.htm">Verily</a> <a href="/psalms/48-12.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/psalms/73-9.htm">Walketh</a> <a href="/psalms/68-21.htm">Walks</a> <a href="/psalms/44-18.htm">Way</a> <a href="/psalms/39-11.htm">Wealth</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 39</div>1. <a href="/psalms/39-1.htm">David's care of his thoughts</a> 4. <a href="/psalms/39-4.htm">The consideration of the brevity and vanity of life</a> 7. <a href="/psalms/39-7.htm">the reverence of God's judgments</a> 10. <a href="/psalms/39-10.htm">and prayer, are his bridles of impatience</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This phrase highlights the transient and insubstantial nature of human life. The imagery of a "phantom" suggests something that is fleeting and lacks substance. In biblical context, this reflects the wisdom literature's frequent emphasis on the brevity of life, as seen in <a href="/job/14-2.htm">Job 14:2</a> and <a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a>, where life is compared to a mist or shadow. The Hebrew word for "phantom" can also be translated as "image" or "shadow," emphasizing the temporary and illusory nature of human existence. This aligns with the biblical theme that life on earth is temporary and that true substance is found in the eternal.surely he bustles in vain; The phrase underscores the futility of human efforts when they are disconnected from eternal purposes. The word "bustles" suggests frantic activity, yet it is described as "in vain," echoing the sentiments of Ecclesiastes, where the Preacher declares that all is vanity. This reflects the cultural context of ancient Israel, where wisdom literature often critiqued the pursuit of wealth and status as ultimately meaningless without a relationship with God. The New Testament echoes this in <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>, where Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth.he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away. This phrase points to the uncertainty and impermanence of material wealth. The act of "heaping up riches" is portrayed as futile because the individual has no control over what happens to their wealth after death. This is reminiscent of the parable of the rich fool in <a href="/luke/12-16.htm">Luke 12:16-21</a>, where Jesus warns against storing up earthly treasures without being rich toward God. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of wealth as a temporary and unreliable source of security. The phrase also serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that true security and inheritance are found in God, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/23-4.htm">Proverbs 23:4-5</a> and <a href="/1_timothy/6-7.htm">1 Timothy 6:7</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/39.htm">Psalm 39</a>, David is expressing his reflections on the brevity and futility of life without God. 2. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation to whom David belonged and often addressed in his psalms, providing a cultural and religious context for his writings. 3. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The central figure in the psalm, to whom David directs his thoughts and prayers, seeking understanding and purpose. 4. <a href="/topical/m/mankind.htm">Mankind</a> Represented in the psalm as transient and often misguided in their pursuits, highlighting the universal human condition. 5. <a href="/topical/r/riches.htm">Riches</a> Symbolic of earthly pursuits and material wealth, which are ultimately temporary and uncertain.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_transience_of_life.htm">The Transience of Life</a> Life is fleeting, like a phantom or shadow, reminding us to focus on eternal rather than temporary pursuits. <a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_earthly_pursuits.htm">The Futility of Earthly Pursuits</a> Human efforts and the accumulation of wealth are ultimately in vain if not aligned with God's purposes. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_eternal_perspective.htm">The Importance of Eternal Perspective</a> We should prioritize spiritual riches and eternal values over material wealth, as earthly possessions are uncertain and temporary. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a> Recognizing the limitations of human control, we should trust in God's plan and provision for our lives. <a href="/topical/l/living_with_purpose.htm">Living with Purpose</a> Our lives should be directed by God's will, seeking to fulfill His purposes rather than our own ambitions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_39.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 39</a> <a href="/q/does_psalm_39_6_deny_lasting_legacies.htm">Psalm 39:6 – Does the claim that everyone is merely a “phantom” contradict historical evidence of lasting human achievements? </a> <a href="/q/what's_the_sea_of_galilee_story's_meaning.htm">What is the significance of the Sea of Galilee story?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_atavism_mean.htm">What does 'Call on the Lord to be saved' mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_musical_terms_are_used_in_psalms.htm">What musical terms are used in Psalms?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/39.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) Surely every man . . .--Better, only as a shadow walks a man. A very commonplace of poetry, from the ????? ???? ???????? of Pindar downwards. Thus Sophocles, "I see that we who live are nothing else but images and vain shadows;" Horace, "Pulvis et umbra sumus; Burke, "What shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue."The above rendering treats the preposition as the beth essentiae. If, however, we keep the Authorised Version, the thought is of man's life, not as a reality, but as a show, a picture, a phantasma (see margin), and himself only an imaginary actor. But this seems modern for the psalms. Shakespeare, no doubt with this passage in his mind, has combined it with the more obvious image:--"Out, out, brief candle,Life's but a walking shadow; a poor playerThat struts and frets his hour upon the stage,And then is heard no more."Surely they . . . --Better, Only for a breath they make a stir.He heapeth up.--The substantive is left by the Hebrew to be supplied. So we talk of the desire of "accumulating." (For the whole passage, comp. <a href="/context/james/4-13.htm" title="Go to now, you that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:">James 4:13-14</a>; <a href="/context/luke/12-16.htm" title="And he spoke a parable to them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:">Luke 12:16-21</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/39.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - Surely every man walketh in a vain show; literally, in an image, or "as an image;" i.e. with a mere semblance of life, but without the reality. Surely they are disquieted in vain. Their restless strivings are to no end, have no result. He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them (comp. <a href="/job/27-16.htm">Job 27:16, 17</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/2-18.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:18, 21</a>). <a href="/commentaries/psalms/39-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Surely אַךְ־ (’aḵ-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> A particle of affirmation, surely every man אִ֗ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person goes about יִֽתְהַלֶּךְ־ (yiṯ·hal·leḵ-) Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk like a phantom; בְּצֶ֤לֶם ׀ (bə·ṣe·lem) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6754.htm">Strong's 6754: </a> A phantom, illusion, resemblance, a representative figure, an idol surely אַךְ־ (’aḵ-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_389.htm">Strong's 389: </a> A particle of affirmation, surely he bustles יֶהֱמָי֑וּן (ye·hĕ·mā·yūn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1993.htm">Strong's 1993: </a> To make a, loud sound, commotion, tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor in vain; הֶ֥בֶל (he·ḇel) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory he heaps up [riches] יִ֝צְבֹּ֗ר (yiṣ·bōr) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6651.htm">Strong's 6651: </a> To aggregate not וְֽלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no knowing יֵדַ֥ע (yê·ḏa‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know who מִי־ (mî-) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4310.htm">Strong's 4310: </a> Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix will haul them away. אֹסְפָֽם׃ (’ō·sə·p̄ām) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_622.htm">Strong's 622: </a> To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/psalms/39-6.htm">Psalm 39:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 39:6 Surely every man walks like a shadow (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/39-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 39:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 39:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/39-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 39:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 39:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>