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Psalm 78:39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.

<!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 78:39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/78-39.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/19_Psa_078_039.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 78:39 - I Will Open My Mouth in Parables" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return." /><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'; 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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/78.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/78.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For he remembered that they were merely mortal, gone like a breath of wind that never returns.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/78.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/78.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For he remembered that they <i>were but</i> flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/78.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For He remembered that they <i>were but</i> flesh, A breath that passes away and does not come again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/78.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So He remembered that they were <i>only</i> flesh, A wind that passes and does not return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passes and does not return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/78.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passes and does not return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/78.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that goes and does not return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/78.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For He [graciously] remembered that they were mere [human] flesh, A wind that goes and does not return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/78.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He remembered that they were only flesh, a wind that passes and does not return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/78.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He remembered that they were only flesh, a wind that passes and does not return. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/78.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/78.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God remembered that they were made of flesh and were like a wind that blows once and then dies down. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/78.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/78.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />He remembered that they were only flesh and blood, a breeze that blows and does not return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/78.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He remembered that they were only mortal beings, like a wind that blows by and is gone. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/78.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For he remembered that they were only flesh, a passing wind that doesn't return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/78.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/78.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He remembered that they were made of flesh, and were like a wind that blows past and does not return. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/78.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes away, and doesn't come again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/78.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/78.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes away, and doesn&#8217;t come again. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/78.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He remembers that they [are] flesh, "" A wind going on&#8212;and it does not return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/78.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And He remembereth that they are flesh, A wind going on -- and it returneth not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/78.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will remember that they are flesh; a spirit going and not turning back.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/78.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he remembered that they are flesh: a wind that goeth and returneth not. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/78.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 77:39>And he remembered that they are flesh: with a spirit that goes forth and does not return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/78.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He remembered that they were flesh, a breath that passes on and does not return. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/78.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and does not come again.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/78.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passes away and comes not again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/78.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He remembered that they were flesh, a wind that goes and does not return.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/78.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/78.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he remembered that they are flesh; a wind that passes away, and returns not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/78-39.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=9728" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">I Will Open My Mouth in Parables</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">38</span>And yet He was compassionate; He forgave their iniquity and did not destroy them. He often restrained His anger and did not unleash His full wrath. <span class="reftext">39</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2142.htm" title="2142: way&#183;yiz&#183;k&#333;r (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Remember. A primitive root; properly, to mark, i.e. To remember; by implication, to mention; also to be male.">He remembered</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: k&#238;- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: h&#234;m&#183;m&#257;h (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: &#7687;&#257;&#183;&#347;&#257;r (N-ms) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">were but flesh,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: h&#333;&#183;w&#183;l&#234;&#7733; (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">a passing</a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: r&#363;&#183;a&#7717; (N-cs) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">breeze</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: w&#601;&#183;l&#333; (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">that does not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: y&#257;&#183;&#353;&#363;&#7687; (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">return.</a> </span><span class="reftext">40</span>How often they disobeyed Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert!&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3</a></span><br />So the LORD said, &#8220;My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-16.htm">Isaiah 57:16</a></span><br />For I will not accuse you forever, nor will I always be angry; for then the spirit of man would grow weak before Me&#8212;the breath of life I have made.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/10-9.htm">Job 10:9</a></span><br />Please remember that You molded me like clay. Would You now return me to dust?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-14.htm">Job 34:14-15</a></span><br />If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, / all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-14.htm">Psalm 103:14</a></span><br />For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-9.htm">Psalm 103:9</a></span><br />He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-16.htm">Psalm 103:16</a></span><br />when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:7</a></span><br />before the dust returns to the ground from which it came and the spirit returns to God who gave it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-8</a></span><br />A voice says, &#8220;Cry out!&#8221; And I asked, &#8220;What should I cry out?&#8221; &#8220;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. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, &#8220;All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-3.htm">Romans 8:3</a></span><br />For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-18.htm">Romans 7:18</a></span><br />I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/4-16.htm">2 Corinthians 4:16</a></span><br />Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-1.htm">2 Corinthians 5:1-4</a></span><br />For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. / For in this tent we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, / because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passes away, and comes not again.</p><p class="hdg">for he</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/103-14.htm">Psalm 103:14-16</a></b></br> For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we <i>are</i> dust&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3</a></b></br> And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also <i>is</i> flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6</a></b></br> That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.</p><p class="hdg">a wind.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/7-7.htm">Job 7:7,16</a></b></br> O remember that my life <i>is</i> wind: mine eye shall no more see good&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a></b></br> Whereas ye know not what <i>shall be</i> on the morrow. For what <i>is</i> your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/78-33.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/genesis/3-8.htm">Breeze</a> <a href="/psalms/78-27.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/psalms/78-32.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/psalms/77-12.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/psalms/58-8.htm">Passes</a> <a href="/psalms/58-8.htm">Passeth</a> <a href="/psalms/39-12.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/psalms/71-12.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/psalms/78-35.htm">Remembered</a> <a href="/psalms/9-12.htm">Remembereth</a> <a href="/psalms/35-13.htm">Returneth</a> <a href="/psalms/78-26.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/90-9.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/acts/27-13.htm">Breeze</a> <a href="/psalms/78-45.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/psalms/78-50.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/psalms/78-42.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/psalms/90-4.htm">Passes</a> <a href="/psalms/90-4.htm">Passeth</a> <a href="/psalms/80-12.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/psalms/79-8.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/psalms/78-42.htm">Remembered</a> <a href="/psalms/103-14.htm">Remembereth</a> <a href="/psalms/146-4.htm">Returneth</a> <a href="/psalms/83-13.htm">Wind</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 78</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-1.htm">An exhortation both to learn and to preach, the law of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-9.htm">The story of God's wrath against the incredulous and disobedient</a></span><br><span class="reftext">67. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/78-67.htm">The Israelites being rejected, God chose Judah, Zion, and David.</a></span><br></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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/78.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/psalms/78.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>He remembered that they were but flesh</b><br>This phrase highlights God's awareness of human frailty and mortality. In biblical context, "flesh" often signifies human weakness and the sinful nature (<a href="/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3</a>, <a href="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6</a>). God's remembrance here is not about recalling forgotten information but an active, compassionate consideration of human limitations. This reflects God's mercy and patience, as seen in His dealings with Israel throughout their history. The acknowledgment of human frailty is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the need for divine grace and intervention (<a href="/psalms/103-14.htm">Psalm 103:14</a>).<p><b>a passing breeze</b><br>The imagery of a "passing breeze" underscores the transient nature of human life. This metaphor is used elsewhere in Scripture to convey the brevity and fragility of life (<a href="/job/7-7.htm">Job 7:7</a>, <a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a>). In the cultural context of the ancient Near East, where life was often uncertain due to environmental and societal factors, such imagery would resonate deeply. It serves as a reminder of the temporal nature of earthly existence compared to the eternal nature of God.<p><b>that does not return</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the finality of human life on earth. Once a breeze passes, it cannot be reclaimed, symbolizing the irreversible passage of time and the inevitability of death. This concept is echoed in <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:7</a>, where the spirit returns to God, and the body to dust. Theologically, it points to the need for redemption and the hope of resurrection, themes central to Christian doctrine. The finality also serves as a call to live wisely and righteously, aware of life's fleeting nature (<a href="/psalms/90-12.htm">Psalm 90:12</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, demonstrating His mercy and understanding of human frailty.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, whose history of rebellion and repentance is recounted in <a href="/bsb/psalms/78.htm">Psalm 78</a>.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting for much of Israel's journey and rebellion, highlighting their dependence on God's mercy.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>Though not directly mentioned in this verse, he is a key figure in the account of Israel's wilderness journey.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The place of Israel's bondage, from which God delivered them, setting the stage for their wilderness journey.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_compassionate_memory.htm">God's Compassionate Memory</a></b><br>God remembers our frailty and responds with compassion. This should encourage us to rely on His mercy rather than our strength.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_frailty.htm">Human Frailty</a></b><br>Recognizing our transient nature should lead us to humility and dependence on God, rather than pride in our abilities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_patience.htm">Divine Patience</a></b><br>God's patience with Israel serves as a model for how we should be patient and forgiving with others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance.htm">The Importance of Repentance</a></b><br>Despite human weakness, God&#8217;s mercy invites us to repentance and renewal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_with_eternity_in_mind.htm">Living with Eternity in Mind</a></b><br>Understanding the brevity of life should motivate us to focus on eternal values and priorities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_78.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 78</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_sowing_and_reaping.htm">What does the Bible say about sowing and reaping?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_divine_punishment_in_psalm_78_at_odds_with_a_loving_god.htm">Does the repeated theme of divine punishment in Psalm 78 conflict with the concept of a loving God found in other biblical passages? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_psalm_126_and_nehemiah_4_conflict.htm">Do the joyful descriptions in Psalm 126:2, 5-6 conflict with other biblical accounts (e.g., Nehemiah 4) that depict the return from exile as difficult and fraught with opposition?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god_answer_every_prayer.htm">Does God answer all prayers? (Matthew 7:7-8 vs. 1 John 5:14-15)</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/78.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(39) "And what's a life? A blast sustained with clothing:<p>Maintained with food, retained with vile self-loathing;<p>Then, weary of itself, away to nothing."--<p>QUARLES: <span class= "ital">Emblcms.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/78.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 39.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For he remembered that they were but flesh</span> (comp. <a href="/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3</a>). Flesh is weak, erring, frail - "in us, that is, in our flesh, dwelleth no good thing" (<a href="/romans/7-17.htm">Romans 7:17</a>) - God, therefore, who had made them "flesh," had compassion on their weakness. <span class="cmt_word">A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again</span> (comp. <a href="/job/7-7.htm">Job 7:7</a>). Man is a mere passing breath - as light, as fleeting, as transitory - "a vapour that appeareth for a little while, and then vanisheth away" (<a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/78-39.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He remembered</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1463;&#1453;&#1497;&#1468;&#1460;&#1494;&#1456;&#1499;&#1468;&#1465;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(way&#183;yiz&#183;k&#333;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2142.htm">Strong's 2142: </a> </span><span class="str2">To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1460;&#1497;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(k&#238;-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1461;&#1425;&#1502;&#1468;&#1464;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(h&#234;m&#183;m&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were but flesh,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1489;&#1464;&#1513;&#1474;&#1464;&#1443;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7687;&#257;&#183;&#347;&#257;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a passing</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1437;&#1493;&#1465;&#1500;&#1461;&#1431;&#1498;&#1456;</span> <span class="translit">(h&#333;&#183;w&#183;l&#234;&#7733;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">breeze</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1512;&#1445;&#1493;&#1468;&#1495;&#1463;</span> <span class="translit">(r&#363;&#183;a&#7717;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that does not</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1500;&#1465;&#1443;&#1488;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;l&#333;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">return.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1464;&#1513;&#1473;&#1469;&#1493;&#1468;&#1489;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(y&#257;&#183;&#353;&#363;&#7687;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/78-39.htm">Psalm 78:39 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/78-39.htm">Psalm 78:39 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/78-39.htm">Psalm 78:39 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/78-39.htm">Psalm 78:39 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/78-39.htm">Psalm 78:39 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/78-39.htm">Psalm 78:39 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/78-39.htm">Psalm 78:39 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/78-39.htm">Psalm 78:39 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/78-39.htm">Psalm 78:39 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/78-39.htm">Psalm 78:39 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/78-39.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 78:39 He remembered that they were but flesh (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/78-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 78:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/78-40.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 78:40"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 78:40" /></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>

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