Every Man is Vapor (Psalm 39)

The burning question of Psalm 39 is why God should discipline a frail and fleeting creature such as man. David, the Psalmist, recognizes that there is a valley of difference between God and man. David knows he is small. This Psalm is a lament–how lowly is humanity–but it is also worship, to elevate God. So David looks to the lowliness of humankind to worship God. David knows nothing in the world could lessen his otherness to God.

David’s hope is not in things in this world. It is in Yahweh’s Rescue. In other Psalms, David prays for rescue from his enemies, but here he prays for rescue from his transgressions–places he has transgressed or come across the law of God–sins. David says, "my hope is not in the things of this world. Lord, God, my hope is in you."

David appeals to his weakened state. His life is but a vapor. He is not like God. He cannot endure. His life is being eaten away by the Lord’s discipline like a moth eats holes in clothing. Even when this life is over, if you have hope in the Lord, it’s okay that your life is vapor, because we have this hope like David. On this earth, as it is, we are resident aliens. This is not our eternal home. Jesus prepares a place for us.