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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 144:4 Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/144-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/19_Psa_144_004.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 144:4 - Blessed Be the LORD, My Rock" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow." /><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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their days are like a fleeting shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/144.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/144.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/144.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/144.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Man is like to vanity: his days <i>are</i> as a shadow that passeth away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/144.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Man is like a breath; His days <i>are</i> like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/144.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Man is like the breath; His days are like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/144.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/144.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/144.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Man is like a breath; His days are like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/144.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a shadow that passes away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/144.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A human is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/144.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/144.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Man is like to vanity: His days are as a shadow that passeth away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/144.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />We disappear like a breath; we last no longer than a faint shadow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/144.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/144.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Humans are like a breath of air. Their life span is like a fleeting shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/144.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />We are like a puff of wind; our days are like a passing shadow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/144.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The human person is a mere empty breath; his days are like a fading shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/144.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/144.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />People are like a vapor, their days like a shadow that disappears. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/144.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Man is like a breath. His days are like a shadow that passes away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/144.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/144.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Man is like a breath. His days are like a shadow that passes away. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/144.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Man has been like a breath, "" His days [are] as a shadow passing by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/144.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Man to vanity hath been like, His days are as a shadow passing by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/144.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Man was likened to vanity: his days as a shadow passing away.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/144.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Man is like to vanity: his days pass away like a shadow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/144.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 143:4>Man has been made similar to vanity. His days pass by like a shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/144.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Man is but a breath, his days are like a passing shadow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/144.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They are like a breath; their days are like a passing shadow.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/144.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Man is like vapour; his days are as a shadow that passes away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/144.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A son of man is like a vapor and his days pass away like smoke.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/144.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Man is like unto a breath; His days are as a shadow that passeth away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/144.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Man is like to vanity: his days pass as a shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/144-4.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=17778" 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/144.htm">Blessed Be the LORD, My Rock</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>O LORD, what is man, that You regard him, the son of man that You think of him? <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">Man</a> <a href="/hebrew/1819.htm" title="1819: dā·māh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To be like, resemble. A primitive root; to compare; by implication, to resemble, liken, consider.">is like</a> <a href="/hebrew/1892.htm" title="1892: la·he·ḇel (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Or Habel; from habal; emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb.">a breath;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·māw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">his days</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: ‘ō·w·ḇêr (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">are like a passing</a> <a href="/hebrew/6738.htm" title="6738: kə·ṣêl (Prep-k:: N-ms) -- A shadow. From tsalal; shade, whether literal or figurative.">shadow.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Part Your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, that they may smoke.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <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="/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="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1-2</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, “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="/isaiah/40-6.htm">Isaiah 40:6-8</a></span><br />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. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:12</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5-6</a></span><br />You, 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 / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/29-15.htm">1 Chronicles 29:15</a></span><br />For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/7-6.htm">Job 7:6-7</a></span><br />My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope. / Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-31.htm">1 Corinthians 7:31</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-11.htm">Psalm 102:11</a></span><br />My days are like lengthening shadows, and I wither away like grass.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/8-9.htm">Job 8:9</a></span><br />For we were born yesterday and know nothing; our days on earth are but a shadow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-15.htm">Psalm 103:15-16</a></span><br />As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / 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="/2_corinthians/4-18.htm">2 Corinthians 4:18</a></span><br />So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a></span><br />Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-27.htm">Hebrews 9:27</a></span><br />Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passes away.</p><p class="hdg">man</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5,6</a></b></br> Behold, thou hast made my days <i>as</i> an handbreadth; and mine age <i>is</i> as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state <i>is</i> altogether vanity. Selah… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9</a></b></br> Surely men of low degree <i>are</i> vanity, <i>and</i> men of high degree <i>are</i> a lie: to be laid in the balance, they <i>are</i> altogether <i>lighter</i> than vanity.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/89-47.htm">Psalm 89:47</a></b></br> Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?</p><p class="hdg">his days</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/102-11.htm">Psalm 102:11</a></b></br> My days <i>are</i> like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/103-15.htm">Psalm 103:15,16</a></b></br> <i>As for</i> man, his days <i>are</i> as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/109-23.htm">Psalm 109:23</a></b></br> I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/135-17.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/psalms/89-47.htm">Fleeting</a> <a href="/psalms/143-11.htm">Life</a> <a href="/psalms/94-11.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/psalms/103-16.htm">Passes</a> <a href="/psalms/103-16.htm">Passeth</a> <a href="/psalms/109-23.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/psalms/143-7.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/psalms/121-5.htm">Shade</a> <a href="/psalms/109-23.htm">Shadow</a> <a href="/psalms/139-20.htm">Vanity</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/146-2.htm">Breath</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-6.htm">Fleeting</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-3.htm">Life</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-23.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-25.htm">Passes</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-25.htm">Passeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-8.htm">Passing</a> <a href="/psalms/145-8.htm">Quickly</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm">Shade</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-12.htm">Shadow</a> <a href="/psalms/144-8.htm">Vanity</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 144</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/144-1.htm">David blesses God for his mercy both to him and to man</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/144-5.htm">He prays that God would powerfully deliver him from his enemies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/144-9.htm">He promises to praise God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/144-11.htm">He prays for the happy state of the kingdom</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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/144.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/144.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Man is like a breath;</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the transient and fleeting nature of human life. The Hebrew word for "breath" here is "hebel," which is also used in Ecclesiastes to describe vanity or futility. This comparison highlights the brevity and insubstantiality of human existence. In the biblical context, this reflects the understanding that life is temporary and fragile, a theme echoed in other scriptures such as <a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a>, which describes life as a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. The imagery of breath also connects to the creation account in <a href="/genesis/2-7.htm">Genesis 2:7</a>, where God breathes life into man, underscoring the dependence of human life on God's sustaining power.<p><b>his days are like a passing shadow.</b><br>The metaphor of a "passing shadow" further illustrates the ephemeral nature of human life. Shadows are insubstantial and temporary, changing with the movement of the sun and disappearing with the onset of darkness. This imagery is used elsewhere in scripture, such as in <a href="/job/8-9.htm">Job 8:9</a> and <a href="/psalms/102-11.htm">Psalm 102:11</a>, to convey the swift passage of time and the impermanence of human endeavors. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of life as uncertain and subject to the divine will. Theologically, it serves as a reminder of the eternal nature of God in contrast to human mortality, encouraging reliance on God's eternal promises. This concept is also seen in the New Testament, where believers are urged to focus on eternal rather than temporal things, as in <a href="/2_corinthians/4-18.htm">2 Corinthians 4:18</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/144.htm">Psalm 144</a>, David was the second king of Israel, known for his deep relationship with God and his role as a warrior and poet. This psalm reflects his reliance on God amidst the brevity and challenges of life.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation over which David reigned. The psalm reflects the collective human experience, but it is also deeply rooted in the context of Israel's history and David's leadership.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in the psalm, God is portrayed as the eternal and unchanging contrast to the fleeting nature of human life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_brevity_of_life.htm">The Brevity of Life</a></b><br>Recognize that life is short and uncertain. This awareness should lead us to live purposefully and prioritize what truly matters.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>In light of life's fleeting nature, focus on eternal values and invest in your relationship with God, who is eternal and unchanging.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>Like David, acknowledge our dependence on God for strength and guidance, especially given the transient nature of our existence.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/urgency_in_mission.htm">Urgency in Mission</a></b><br>The brevity of life should instill a sense of urgency in fulfilling God's mission and sharing the Gospel with others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_eternity.htm">Hope in Eternity</a></b><br>While life is brief, believers have the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ, which provides comfort and purpose.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_144.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 144</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_144_4_contradict_genesis_1_27.htm">Does Psalm 144:4’s depiction of human life as fleeting contradict other scriptures that emphasize humanity’s inherent value (e.g., Genesis 1:27)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'root_of_jesse'_mean.htm">What does 'life is a vapor' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'life_is_a_vapor'_mean.htm">What does "life is a vapor" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/144.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Vanity . . . shadow.</span>--See <a href="/context/psalms/39-5.htm" title="Behold, you have made my days as an handbreadth; and my age is as nothing before you: truly every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.">Psalm 39:5-6</a>; <a href="/psalms/102-11.htm" title="My days are like a shadow that declines; and I am withered like grass.">Psalm 102:11</a>. The occasion of the introduction of these sentiments here is not quite clear. It may be the humility of the warrior who ascribes all success to God instead of to human prowess, or it may be a reflection uttered over the corpses of comrades, or, perhaps, a blending of the two.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/144.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Man is like to vanity</span>; or, "to a breath" (comp. <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5</a>; <a href="/psalms/62-9.htm">Psalm 62:9</a>). <span class="cmt_word">His days are as a shadow that passeth away</span> (see <a href="/psalms/102-11.htm">Psalm 102:11</a>; <a href="/psalms/119-23.htm">Psalm 119:23</a>). And yet God has regard to this weak creature of an hour. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/144-4.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">Man</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֭דָם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is like</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּמָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(dā·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1819.htm">Strong's 1819: </a> </span><span class="str2">To compare, to resemble, liken, consider</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a breath;</span><br /><span class="heb">לַהֶ֣בֶל</span> <span class="translit">(la·he·ḇel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1892.htm">Strong's 1892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his days</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֝מָ֗יו</span> <span class="translit">(yā·māw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are like a passing</span><br /><span class="heb">עוֹבֵֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·w·ḇêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shadow.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּצֵ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ṣêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6738.htm">Strong's 6738: </a> </span><span class="str2">A shadow</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/144-4.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 144:4 Man is like a breath (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/144-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 144:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 144:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/144-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 144:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 144:5" /></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>