Psalm 39:6 “Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain;…”

Psalm 39:6

Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

World English Bible

“Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn’t know who shall gather.

American Standard Version

Surely every man walketh in a vain show; Surely they are disquieted in vain: He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.

Geneva Bible 1599

Doubtlesse man walketh in a shadowe, and disquieteth himselfe in vaine: he heapeth vp riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.

Darby Translation

Verily, man walketh in a vain show; verily they are disquieted in vain; he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.

Young's Literal Translation

Only, in an image doth each walk habitually, Only, [in] vain, they are disquieted, He heapeth up and knoweth not who gathereth them.

Bible in Basic English

Truly, every man goes on his way like an image; he is troubled for no purpose: he makes a great store of wealth, and has no knowledge of who will get it.

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Cross references

“a vain shew”

James 4:14 1 Corinthians 7:31

James 4:14 · BSB

You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

1 Corinthians 7:31 · BSB

and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

“surely”

Ecclesiastes 12:13 Luke 12:29 1 Peter 5:7 Ecclesiastes 1:14 Ecclesiastes 12:8 Isaiah 55:2

Ecclesiastes 12:13 · BSB

When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.

Luke 12:29 · BSB

And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it.

1 Peter 5:7 · BSB

Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 · BSB

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 12:8 · BSB

“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher. “Everything is futile!”

Isaiah 55:2 · BSB

Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

“he heapeth”

Ecclesiastes 2:26 Ecclesiastes 5:14 Proverbs 13:22 Ecclesiastes 2:8 Proverbs 23:5 Proverbs 27:24

Ecclesiastes 2:26 · BSB

To the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner He assigns the task of gathering and accumulating that which he will hand over to one who pleases God. This too is futile…

Ecclesiastes 5:14 · BSB

or wealth lost in a failed venture, so when that man has a son there is nothing to pass on.

Proverbs 13:22 · BSB

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.

Ecclesiastes 2:8 · BSB

and I accumulated for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I gathered to myself male and female singers, and the delights of the sons of men—many concubines.

Proverbs 23:5 · BSB

When you glance at wealth, it disappears, for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

Proverbs 27:24 · BSB

for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.

Also

Psalm 127:2 1 Peter 1:24

Psalm 127:2 · BSB

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat— for He gives sleep to His beloved.

1 Peter 1:24 · BSB

For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

5You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah

7And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

Read Psalm 39