Psalms 146:4 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. His breath goeth forth - His existence depends merely, under God, on the air he breathes. When he ceases to respire he ceases to live; his body from that moment begins to claim its affinity to the earth; and all his thoughts, purposes, and projects, whether good or evil, come to nought and perish. He, then, who has no other dependence, must necessarily be miserable.