Psalms 89:47
Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?
Original Language Analysis
זְכָר
Remember
H2142
זְכָר
Remember
Strong's:
H2142
Word #:
1 of 11
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
מֶה
H4100
מֶה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
חָ֑לֶד
how short
H2465
חָ֑לֶד
how short
Strong's:
H2465
Word #:
4 of 11
life (as a fleeting portion of time); hence, the world (as transient)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
שָּׁ֝֗וְא
in vain
H7723
שָּׁ֝֗וְא
in vain
Strong's:
H7723
Word #:
7 of 11
evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, object
בָּרָ֥אתָ
my time is wherefore hast thou made
H1254
בָּרָ֥אתָ
my time is wherefore hast thou made
Strong's:
H1254
Word #:
8 of 11
(absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes)
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Exiles in Babylon faced mortality without seeing promises fulfilled. Would they die before restoration? Would the covenant fail with their generation? God's answer: restoration came, but the ultimate answer is resurrection. Life isn't vain because death isn't final. The "shortness" of earthly life (James 4:14: "a vapour") gains significance when it's the vestibule to eternity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does awareness of life's brevity affect your priorities and prayers? Should it create urgency or despair?
- If God seems slow to act, does human existence become "vain"? How does Romans 8:20-21 answer this fear?
- How does Christ's resurrection prove God didn't create humanity "in vain" despite death's apparent victory?
Analysis & Commentary
Remember how short my time is (זְכָר־אֲנִי מֶה־חָלֶד zekhor-ani meh-chaled)—zakhar (remember) is covenant language, appealing to God's promises. Chaled (lifetime, duration) emphasizes life's brevity. The psalmist urges God to act before death makes intervention futile. Wherefore hast thou made all men in vain? (עַל־מַה־שָּׁוְא בָּרָאתָ כָל־בְּנֵי־אָדָם al-mah-shav barata kol-benei-adam)—shav means emptiness, futility, vanity. If covenant promises fail and death ends all, human existence is meaningless.
This verse raises existential questions: What is humanity's purpose if God doesn't keep covenant? The question anticipates Ecclesiastes: "Vanity of vanities...all is vanity" (1:2). Yet biblical "vanity" isn't atheistic nihilism—it's protest against a world that seems purposeless without God's faithfulness. Paul answers: God didn't create in vain; creation groans awaiting redemption (Romans 8:20-21). Christ's resurrection proves life isn't futile—death is defeated, covenant promises fulfilled. The brevity of life gains meaning when connected to eternity through Christ.