Psalms 78:39
For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.
Original Language Analysis
וַ֭יִּזְכֹּר
For he remembered
H2142
וַ֭יִּזְכֹּר
For he remembered
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בָשָׂ֣ר
that they were but flesh
H1320
בָשָׂ֣ר
that they were but flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
3 of 8
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
ר֥וּחַ
a wind
H7307
ר֥וּחַ
a wind
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
5 of 8
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
ה֝וֹלֵ֗ךְ
that passeth away
H1980
ה֝וֹלֵ֗ךְ
that passeth away
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
6 of 8
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Job 7:7O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.Genesis 6:3And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.James 4:14Whereas 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.Job 7:16I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity.Job 10:9Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?
Historical Context
The wilderness generation was literally dying—all who left Egypt over age 20 (except Caleb and Joshua) perished before Canaan entry (Numbers 14:29). Their mortality was both judgment and reminder of human frailty. Asaph reflects on God's patience with these dying rebels.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's awareness of your "flesh"—your human weakness—give you confidence to approach Him honestly?
- In what ways do you forget your own frailty and judge others more harshly than God does?
- How should the brevity of life ("wind that passeth away") shape your priorities and pursuit of God?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. While Israel forgot God (v. 42), God remembered Israel's frailty. Bāśār (בָּשָׂר, "flesh") denotes human weakness, mortality, and limitation—not sinfulness per se but creatureliness. God's mercy flows from recognizing His creatures' fragility, like a father pitying his children (Psalm 103:13-14).
The image of rûaḥ hôlēḵ wĕlōʾ yāšûḇ (רוּחַ הוֹלֵךְ וְלֹא יָשׁוּב, "wind passing and not returning") captures human transience—breath here and gone. This isn't fatalism but realism about human limitations apart from divine sustenance. Like grass that withers (Isaiah 40:6-8), humanity needs God's enduring word and renewing Spirit.
God's remembrance of our weakness doesn't excuse sin but explains His patience. He doesn't treat us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:10) because He knows our frame. This grounds assurance: our perseverance depends on God's faithful remembrance, not our faithful performance. Christ, the eternal Word made flesh, secures this mercy forever.