Psalms 39:11 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

With rebukes, i. e. with punishment, which is oft so called. See Psalms 6:1, Psalms 76:6. Dost correct man for iniquity, i. e. dost punish him as his iniquity deserves. His beauty, Heb. his desire, i.e. his desirable things, as this word signifies, Lamentations 1:11 Daniel 9:23, Daniel 10:3,11,19. His comeliness, strength, wealth, and prosperity, and all his present excellencies or felicities. Like a moth; either,

1. Passively, as a moth is quickly and easily crushed to pieces with a touch as this phrase is used, Job 4:19. Or,

2. Actively as a moth consumeth a garment, as it is Job 13:28 Isaiah 1:9; to which God compareth himself and his judgments, secretly and insensibly consuming a people, Isaiah 51:8 Hosea 5:12. Every man is vanity; and this confirms what I said Psalms 39:5, that every man is vanity; which though men in the height of their prosperity will not believe, yet when God contendeth with them by his judgments, they are forced to acknowledge it.

Psalms 39:11

11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.