Psalms 146:4
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
Original Language Analysis
תֵּצֵ֣א
goeth forth
H3318
תֵּצֵ֣א
goeth forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 8
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
ר֭וּחוֹ
His breath
H7307
ר֭וּחוֹ
His breath
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
2 of 8
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
יָשֻׁ֣ב
he returneth
H7725
יָשֻׁ֣ב
he returneth
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
3 of 8
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
בַּיּ֥וֹם
in that very day
H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם
in that very day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 8
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַ֝ה֗וּא
H1931
הַ֝ה֗וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
6 of 8
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
Cross References
Ecclesiastes 12:7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.Psalms 104:29Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.Genesis 2:7And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.Genesis 3:19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.Psalms 33:10The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.1 Corinthians 2:6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:Job 27:3All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;Job 17:11My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.Job 14:21His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.Isaiah 2:22Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?
Historical Context
The psalm was likely written post-exilic when Judah existed under successive empires (Persian, Greek, eventually Roman). The temptation to trust in imperial power for security and prosperity was constant. This verse reminded Israel that all empires rise and fall, but Yahweh reigns eternally.
Questions for Reflection
- How should the certainty of death inform priorities, ambitions, and what we consider worthy of trust?
- What 'thoughts and plans' occupy your mind—eternal matters or perishing concerns?
- How can remembering human mortality without God foster evangelistic urgency?
Analysis & Commentary
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Human mortality starkly portrayed—tetse rucho (תֵּצֵא רוּחוֹ) "his spirit goes out" at death, when ruach (רוּחַ) "breath/spirit" departs. Yashuv le'admato (יָשֻׁב לְאַדְמָתוֹ) "he returns to his ground"—wordplay on adam (אָדָם) "man" and adamah (אֲדָמָה) "ground," recalling Genesis 3:19, "dust you are, to dust you shall return."
In that very day his thoughts perish (bayyom hahu avĕdu eshtonotav, בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא אָבְדוּ עֶשְׁתֹּנֹתָיו)—eshtonot (עֶשְׁתֹּנֹת) "plans/schemes" immediately cease at death. The powerful prince who seemed able to help becomes utterly powerless instantly. This demolishes trust in human power and directs faith toward the immortal God alone.