Psalm 146:4 kjv
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
Psalm 146:4 nkjv
His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish.
Psalm 146:4 niv
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Psalm 146:4 esv
When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.
Psalm 146:4 nlt
When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,
and all their plans die with them.
Psalm 146 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 3:19 | "...for dust you are, and to dust you shall return." | Human body returns to its earthly origin. |
| Ps 104:29 | "...You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust." | Death as cessation of breath and return to dust. |
| Job 34:14-15 | "If He should set His heart on it... all flesh would perish together..." | God controls all life; all flesh returns to dust. |
| Eccl 3:20 | "All go to one place: all are from dust, and all return to dust." | Universal mortality, all come from and return to dust. |
| Eccl 12:7 | "...and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." | Body to earth, spirit to God; illustrates separation at death. |
| Job 14:10-12 | "...man dies and is laid low... Man lies down and does not rise..." | Describes the physical finality and stillness of death. |
| Isa 2:22 | "Turn away from man, whose breath is in his nostrils, for of what account is he?" | Warns against trusting in transient human beings. |
| Ps 33:10-11 | "The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations... The counsel of the LORD stands forever..." | Contrast: God's plans endure, human plans fail. |
| Prov 19:21 | "Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails." | Human intentions are subject to God’s ultimate will. |
| Isa 55:8-9 | "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the LORD." | God's thoughts and plans are infinitely superior and distinct from human ones. |
| Dan 4:35 | "...He does according to His will... no one can restrain His hand..." | God's sovereignty ensures His will, not human will, is supreme. |
| Ps 118:8-9 | "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man." | Directly links to Ps 146:3-4 message of trusting God over man. |
| Jer 17:5-6 | "Cursed is the man who trusts in man... like a shrub in the desert..." | Consequences of trusting human ability instead of God. |
| Jer 17:7-8 | "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD... like a tree planted by water..." | Blessings for those whose trust is in God alone. |
| Ps 10:4 | "The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; all his thoughts are, 'There is no God.'" | Human thoughts and plans that exclude God are ultimately vain. |
| Jas 4:13-16 | "...You do not know what tomorrow will bring... your life is a vapor..." | Emphasizes human frailty, uncertainty of life, and the futility of presumptive plans. |
| Heb 9:27 | "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment..." | Universal decree of death for humanity. |
| Luke 12:16-20 | "Fool! This night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you prepared?" | Parable illustrating the immediate termination of earthly plans at death. |
| Ps 90:3 | "You return man to dust and say, 'Return, O children of man!'" | God's command brings humanity back to its created state of dust. |
| Ps 103:15-16 | "As for man, his days are like grass... the wind passes over it, and it is gone..." | Analogy for the brevity and fragility of human life. |
| 1 Cor 2:6-8 | "...the wisdom of this age... are passing away... the princes of this age, who are coming to nothing." | Worldly power and wisdom are temporary, fading. |
| Acts 13:36 | "For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep..." | Example of a great man whose life and service came to a definitive end. |
| Ps 49:6-12 | "...cannot redeem himself... foolish ones pass away and leave their wealth to others." | Inability of wealth or power to save from death, demonstrating futility. |
| Ps 6:5 | "For in death there is no remembrance of You; in Sheol who will give You praise?" | Echoes the immediate cessation of earthly thoughts/actions after death concerning the living world. |
Psalm 146 verses
Psalm 146 4 Meaning
Psalm 146:4 emphatically declares the ultimate mortality and transience of human existence, serving as a profound contrast to the enduring power and faithfulness of the Almighty God. It reveals that upon death, a person's life force departs, their body returns to the earth from which it was formed, and all their earthly plans, ambitions, and thoughts instantaneously cease to hold any relevance or capacity for execution. This verse highlights the frailty and inherent limitations of humanity, particularly those in positions of power, thereby underscoring the futility of placing ultimate trust or hope in them.
Psalm 146 4 Context
Psalm 146 is the first of five "Hallelujah Psalms" that conclude the Book of Psalms, each beginning and ending with "Praise the LORD!" The chapter opens with an exhortation to praise God forever (v. 1-2), immediately followed by a stark warning against trusting in human leaders or any human being (v. 3). Verse 4 provides the irrefutable theological justification for this warning, highlighting the complete inability of human beings—even the most powerful "princes"—to fulfill their promises or maintain their authority upon death. The subsequent verses (v. 5-10) then beautifully elaborate on why trust should exclusively be placed in the LORD, detailing His eternal nature, creative power, unwavering faithfulness, and just provision for the vulnerable. Historically, in the ancient Near East, kings and potentates often claimed divine lineage or power, promising lasting security and prosperity. This verse, therefore, serves as a direct polemic, dismantling any illusion of perpetual human capability or divinity, asserting God's sole, uncontested sovereignty and everlasting trustworthiness.
Psalm 146 4 Word analysis
- His breath: The Hebrew word for "breath" is ruach (רוּחַ), which also means "spirit," "wind," or "life force." Here, it refers to the very essence of life given by God. When ruach departs, life ceases. It emphasizes the ephemeral nature of life, not inherently owned by man but lent by the Creator.
- Goeth forth: The Hebrew verb yatsa (יָצָא) means "to go out," "depart," or "come forth." In this context, it signifies the immediate departure of the life force at the moment of death. There is no gradual fading implied but a distinct end.
- He returneth to his earth: The phrase 'ad 'adama (עַד-אַדְמָתוֹ) refers to the return to the "ground" or "earth." This harks back to Gen 3:19, where humanity is formed from the dust of the ground and destined to return to it. It underscores man's material composition and inherent mortality. This contrasts sharply with a perceived immortality or enduring physical presence after death often attributed to deities or powerful rulers in ancient mythologies.
- In that very day: This phrase (bayyôm hahû') signifies immediacy and certainty. It implies that the cessation of activity and the perishing of thoughts happen without delay, simultaneously with the moment of death. There is no subsequent period on earth for their plans to unfold.
- His thoughts: The Hebrew term 'eshthonoth (עֶשְׁתֹּנֹת) means "thoughts," "purposes," "devices," or "plans." It refers to the intentions, schemes, designs, and strategies that occupy a person's mind during life, particularly those related to their power, future, or legacy. These are distinct from spiritual qualities or the ruach.
- Perish: The Hebrew verb 'avad (אָבַד) means "to be lost," "destroyed," "vanish," "cease to exist." In this context, it indicates that a deceased person's earthly plans and purposes utterly cease. They can no longer be acted upon or fulfilled by that individual. This does not preclude a spiritual afterlife or a future resurrection, but specifically refers to the termination of their earthly designs and influence.
- His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth: This group of words paints a complete picture of biological death: the withdrawal of the life-giving spirit and the disintegration of the body back to its constituent elements. It's a vivid reminder of humanity's finite nature and reliance on God for every breath.
- In that very day his thoughts perish: This second clause clarifies the consequence of the physical death described in the first clause. Not only does the person die physically, but their capacity to execute plans or exert influence also vanishes instantaneously. This directly refutes any belief in the enduring power or advice from the dead within the earthly sphere, which was common in certain ancient pagan practices and necromancy. It's a stark reminder that human power and foresight are inherently limited by mortality.
Psalm 146 4 Bonus section
The immediate and decisive nature of "in that very day" strongly contrasts with the concept of long-term succession planning and dynastic aspirations common among ancient rulers. While kings and pharaohs built elaborate tombs and laid meticulous plans for their legacy, this verse declares such efforts ultimately futile concerning their own personal capacity to execute them post-mortem. The brevity of life implied also subtly rebukes the hubris of humanity that imagines itself indispensable or its endeavors eternally impactful outside of God's overarching purpose. This theological stance served not just as a warning against misplaced trust, but as a comforting assurance to the faithful: while earthly powers rise and fall, the divine power they trusted remains, eternally capable and benevolent. This Psalm therefore provides a framework for hope not in earthly saviors, but in the everlasting God who cares for the fatherless and the widow (Ps 146:9), something no deceased ruler can accomplish.
Psalm 146 4 Commentary
Psalm 146:4 serves as a powerful theological argument for shifting ultimate trust from fallible humanity to the immutable God. It posits death as the ultimate disruptor of human agency and foresight. The vivid imagery of "breath going forth" and returning "to his earth" grounds the discussion in a stark, biological reality that every person faces, emphasizing our temporary stewardship of life. The core insight is the instantaneous perishing of human "thoughts"—plans, ambitions, and worldly wisdom. This highlights that human dominion, wealth, and authority, while potent in life, dissolve completely in the face of death. Thus, the wisdom of the world, no matter how clever or powerful its proponents, is temporary and subject to ultimate cancellation by mortality. It is a profound call to humility, urging a clear-eyed recognition of human limitations and a steadfast redirection of faith toward the eternal Creator whose plans never fail.
- When tempted to rely solely on human institutions or political leaders for ultimate security, remember their finite nature as contrasted with God's eternal faithfulness.
- When crafting elaborate long-term plans without acknowledging God's sovereignty, recall that "in that very day his thoughts perish" – a reminder to submit all plans to the Lord.
- When witnessing the fleeting glory of worldly power, affirm God as the true source of enduring strength and wisdom.