Psalms 89:45
The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.
Original Language Analysis
הִ֭קְצַרְתָּ
hast thou shortened
H7114
הִ֭קְצַרְתָּ
hast thou shortened
Strong's:
H7114
Word #:
1 of 7
to dock off, i.e., curtail (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative); especially to harvest (grass or grain)
יְמֵ֣י
The days
H3117
יְמֵ֣י
The days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 7
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
עֲלוּמָ֑יו
of his youth
H5934
עֲלוּמָ֑יו
of his youth
Strong's:
H5934
Word #:
3 of 7
(only in plural as abstract) adolescence; figuratively, vigor
הֶֽעֱטִ֨יתָ
thou hast covered
H5844
הֶֽעֱטִ֨יתָ
thou hast covered
Strong's:
H5844
Word #:
4 of 7
to wrap, i.e., cover, veil, clothe, or roll
Historical Context
The final Judean kings reigned briefly: Jehoahaz (3 months), Jehoiachin (3 months), Zedekiah (11 years ending in capture). Contrast David (40 years) and Solomon (40 years). The dynasty's rapid collapse fulfilled prophetic warnings. Jeremiah ministered during this period, watching kings rise and fall in shame. The Babylonian Chronicle confirms these rapid depositions.
Questions for Reflection
- When has God "shortened" something you expected to last longer (career, relationship, ministry)? What purpose did the truncation serve?
- How does Christ being "covered with shame" (mocked, stripped, crucified) enable believers to be clothed with His righteousness?
- What does "Selah" (pause, reflect) invite you to meditate on regarding God's purposes in cutting short earthly glory?
Analysis & Commentary
The days of his youth hast thou shortened (הִקְצַרְתָּ יְמֵי עֲלוּמָיו hiqtzarta yemei alumav)—qatzar means to cut short, curtail. Alumim (youth, vigor) represents strength and potential. The king who should reign decades is cut down prematurely. Thou hast covered him with shame. Selah (הֶעֱטִיתָ עָלָיו בּוּשָׁה סֶלָה he'etita alav bushah selah)—'atah means to wrap, envelop, cover as with a garment. Bushah (shame, disgrace) replaces the royal robe. "Selah" signals a pause for meditation on this tragic reversal.
Josiah died young at 39 (2 Kings 23:29), Jehoiachin was exiled at 18 (2 Kings 24:8), Zedekiah blinded and imprisoned at approximately 32 (2 Kings 25:7). Shortened reigns characterized Judah's final kings—divine judgment truncated their days. Yet ultimate fulfillment appears in Christ, whose public ministry lasted only three years, cut short at approximately 33. He was "covered with shame" (Isaiah 53:3: "despised and rejected"), yet that shame-covering accomplished salvation. His "shortened" earthly life purchased eternal life for believers. The ultimate reversal: shame became glory (Philippians 2:8-11).