He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes God's awareness of humanity's fleeting existence, not to suggest life ends entirely, but that the earthly, probationary phase is irretrievable once gone. This understanding fuels His compassion, choosing mercy over judgment for beings whose time is so brief and final in its current form.
He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history, highlighting their persistent unfaithfulness to God despite His repeated acts of mercy and deliverance. This verse comes after listing instances of their rebellion and God's swift, yet restrained, judgments during their wilderness journey. It serves as an explanation for why God, despite their provocations, didn't utterly destroy them, emphasizing His compassionate remembrance of their human frailty.
Why does God spare us when we keep messing up? It's not because we deserve it, but because God remembers something about us.
The verse says, 'He remembered that they were but flesh.' This isn't just a passive recollection; it's an active consideration of humanity's fundamental weakness and tendency to sin.
Our Human Condition
God, in His infinite wisdom, takes this reality into account. He doesn't deal with us as if we were angels, perfectly obedient and immortal. Instead, His compassion is rooted in a deep understanding of our frail, temporary existence.
Life can feel so real, so solid, yet the Bible uses a vivid metaphor to describe its true brevity. What does this 'wind' reveal?
The psalmist doesn't just say we are 'flesh,' but adds, 'a wind that passes and comes not again.' This powerful image highlights the ephemeral nature of human life.
Life as a Passing Wind
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God's remembrance of this fleeting aspect of our lives fuels His compassion. He knows our time is short, and this understanding moves Him to act with mercy rather than to execute swift, absolute judgment.
Understand the original words
basar · Hebrew Noun
Human nature in its fragility, mortality, and weakness. It highlights the contrast between the eternal, unchanging Creator and the finite, transient nature of human beings.
This psalm reflects on Israel's long history, highlighting their persistent unfaithfulness despite God's repeated mercies. The verse emphasizes God's patient understanding of human frailty, remembering that humanity is mortal and prone to sin, especially during the challenging period of the wilderness wanderings.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God delivers Israel from slavery in Egypt through miraculous plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.
c. 1446-1406 BC— this verse
Wilderness Wanderings
For forty years, Israel journeys through the desert, experiencing God's provision (manna, water from the rock) and their own repeated rebellion and sin.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua, Israel enters and begins conquering the Promised Land, fulfilling God's promises.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
King David unites the tribes and establishes Jerusalem as the capital, marking a period of relative stability and divine favor.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into two: Israel (north) and Judah (south), leading to further spiritual decline.
This passage echoes the sentiment that humanity's days are limited and their nature is prone to weakness, a truth God Himself acknowledged when considering His judgment on humanity.
Job 14:1-2These verses beautifully capture the fleeting and fragile nature of human life, mirroring the psalmist's description of people as 'a wind that passes away.'
Psalm 103:14This verse directly states that God remembers our frame and knows we are dust, connecting to the psalmist's reminder that God considers human frailty.
James 4:14This New Testament passage compares human life to a vapor that appears for a little time, reinforcing the psalmist's vivid imagery of life's transience.
Romans 5:6This verse highlights that Christ died for the ungodly, emphasizing God's action to save those who are weak and sinful, aligning with God's compassionate remembrance of Israel's fleshly nature.
clarkePsalms 78:39: "For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again."
He remembered that they were but flesh - Weak mortals. He took their feeble perishing state always into consideration, and knew how much they needed the whole of their state of probation; and therefore he bore with them to the uttermost. How merciful is God! A wind that passeth away, and cometh not again - I believe this to be a bad translation and may be productive of error; as if when a…
expositorsPsalms 78:1-72: "Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth."
Psalm 78:1-72 THIS psalm is closely related to Psalm 105:1-45 ; Psalm 106:1-48 ; Psalm 107:1-43 . Like them, it treats the history of Israel, and especially the Exodus and wilderness wanderings, for purposes of edification, rebuke, and encouragement. The past is held up as a mirror to the present generation. It has been one long succession of miracles of mercy met by equally continu…
The verse emphasizes God's awareness of humanity's fleeting existence, not to suggest life ends entirely, but that the earthly, probationary phase is irretrievable once gone. This understanding fuels His compassion, choosing mercy over judgment for beings whose time is so brief and final in its current form.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history, highlighting their persistent unfaithfulness to God despite His repeated acts of mercy and deliverance. This verse comes after listing instances of their rebellion and God's swift, yet restrained, judgments during their wilderness journey. It serves as an explanation for why God, despite their provocations, didn't utterly destroy them, emphasizing His compassionate remembrance of their human frailty.
The psalmist is recounting Israel's history, highlighting their persistent unfaithfulness to God despite His repeated acts of mercy and deliverance. This verse comes after listing instances of their rebellion and God's swift, yet restrained, judgments during their wilderness journey. It serves as an explanation for why God, despite their provocations, didn't utterly destroy them, emphasizing His compassionate remembrance of their human frailty.
"He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again." — The verse emphasizes God's awareness of humanity's fleeting existence, not to suggest life ends entirely, but that the earthly, probationary phase is irretrievable once gone. This understanding fuels…
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Last reviewed October 2026