Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 144:4
Man is like to vanity: his days [are] as a shadow that passeth away.
4. vanity ] Or, a breath, unsubstantial and evanescent (a different word from that in Psa 144:8 ; Psa 144:11). Cp. Psa 39:5; Psa 39:11; Psa 62:9.
his days &c.] Cp. Psa 102:11; Psa 109:23; Job 8:9; Ecc 6:12.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Man is like to vanity – See the notes at Psa 39:5-6; Psa 62:9. The idea here is, that man can be compared only with that which is utterly vain – which is emptiness – which is nothing.
His days are as a shadow that passeth away – See the notes at Psa 102:11 : My days are like a shadow that declineth. The idea is essentially the same. It is, that as a shadow has no substance, and that as it moves along constantly as the sun declines, until it vanishes altogether, so man has nothing substantial or permanent, and so he is constantly moving off and will soon wholly disappear.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 144:4
His days are as a shadow.
Human life a shadow
I. A shadow is compounded of light and darkness; for when no object intercepts the light of the sun, or when the light of the sun is withdrawn, no shadow is produced. In like manner, the state of man in the present world is made up of joy and sorrow; while, as in the emblem, the latter greatly preponderates.
II. A shadow seems to be something, when in reality it is nothing. If you grasp it, you prove its emptiness. The pleasures, riches, and honours of the present world seem important to the eye of the carnal mind when viewed at a little distance; they attract attention, excite desire, and are eagerly pursued. But when, the object being attained, they are closely examined, how empty and unsatisfactory do they prove!
III. A shadow is the subject of continual changes, till at length it finally and suddenly ceases. In the morning, when the sun first rises above the horizon, it is weak and extended to a great length. Towards noon it gains strength, and is contracted in its dimensions. From thence to sunset it gradually becomes less distinct, and at last suddenly and wholly disappears. Man, survey in this emblem thy life l How lively and affecting the description! (Cf. Job 14:1-2; Jam 4:14).
IV. A. Shadow cannot exist longer than the suns continuance above the horizon, and is every moment liable to annihilation by the intervention of a cloud. In like manner, human life generally lasts but threescore years and ten, or four-score years; and may, by a sudden accident or the power of disease, be much curtailed.
V. A shadow, when gone, leaves no track of its existence behind. This also is the case with the riches, pleasures, and honours of the world. This world is no further substantial, or of importance, than as it stands connected with the next. (The Christian Guardian.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 4. Man is like to vanity] Adam lahebel damah, literally, Adam is like to Abel, exposed to the same miseries, accidents, and murderers; for in millions of cases the hands of brothers are lifted up to shed the blood of brothers. What are wars but fratricide in the great human family?
His days are as a shadow] The life of Abel was promissory of much blessedness; but it afforded merely the shadow of happiness. He was pure and holy, beloved of his parents, and beloved of God; but, becoming the object of his brother’s envy, his life became a sacrifice to his piety.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Man is like, in his nature and continuance in the world,
to vanity, or to a vapour or a breath, as Isa 57:13, which is gone in an instant.
That passeth away; or, that declineth, as Psa 102:11; 109:23; that groweth less and less, till it be quite out of sight, and lost.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Man is like to vanity,…. Is vanity itself, in every age, state, and condition; yea, in his best estate, Ps 39:5; or, “to the breath” h of the mouth, as Kimchi; which is gone as soon as seen almost: or, to a vapour i; to which the life of man is compared, Jas 4:14;
his days [are] as a shadow that passeth away; as the former denotes the frailty and mortality of man, this the shortness of his duration; his days fleeing away, and of no more continuance than the shadow cast by the sun, which presently declines and is gone.
h “halitui”, Muis; so Kimchi. i “Vapori”, Cocceius; so the Syriac and Arabic versions
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(4) Vanity . . . shadow.See Psa. 39:5-6; Psa. 102:11. 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.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 144:4 Man is like to vanity: his days [are] as a shadow that passeth away.
Ver. 4. Man is like to vanity ] See Psa 39:6 ; Psa 62:9 . Adam Abelo compar est, Adam is Abel’s mate.
His days are as a shadow
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Man. Hebrew. ‘adam. App-14.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Man: Psa 39:5, Psa 39:6, Psa 62:9, Psa 89:47, Job 4:19, Job 14:1-3, Ecc 1:2, Ecc 1:14, Ecc 12:8
his days: Psa 102:11, Psa 103:15, Psa 103:16, Psa 109:23, 2Sa 14:14, 1Ch 29:15, Job 8:9, Ecc 8:13
Reciprocal: Job 7:6 – swifter Job 7:16 – my days Job 14:2 – fleeth Ecc 6:12 – the days of his vain life Ecc 9:9 – all the days of the life Son 6:4 – terrible Isa 2:22 – for wherein Rev 21:4 – the former