Psalms 39:5

as a handbreadth Better, a few handbreadths long. The shortest measure is enough to reckon life by. The -handbreadth" = four -fingers" (Jeremiah 52:21 compared with 1 Kings 7:26) or less than half a -span."

mine age&c. The same word as that rendered -world" in Psalms 17:14, denoting life in its fleeting, transient aspect. In the sight of the Eternal man's existence shrinks into nothing. Cp. Isaiah 40:17.

verily&c. The particle ak, which is characteristic of this Ps. and of Psalms 62, may be used affirmatively to introduce the whole clause (verily, or surely, as in Psalms 39:6; Psalms 39:11), or restrictively, to emphasise the words which immediately follow it (only). The order of the words points to the latter sense here. -Only altogether a breath", i.e. nought but mere vanity are all men at their best estate:lit. when standing firm:however securely they may seem to be established. Cp. Psalms 144:4; James 4:14.