King James Version

What Does Psalms 39:6 Mean?

Psalms 39:6 in the King James Version says “Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who s...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 39 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. a vain: Heb. an image”

Psalms 39:6 · KJV

Context

4

LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. how: or, what time I have here

5

Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. at: Heb. settled

6

Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. a vain: Heb. an image

7

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

8

Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.

Read Psalms 39 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Surely every man walketh in a vain shew—The Hebrew aḵ-bəṣelem yithallēḵ-'îsh (אַךְ־בְּצֶלֶם יִתְהַלֶּךְ־אִישׁ) literally means "only in an image walks man." The word ṣelem (צֶלֶם, image/shadow) is the same used in Genesis 1:27 for humanity made in God's image, but here it suggests phantom or mere appearance. David's point is devastating: human life, for all its busyness, is as insubstantial as a shadow. The verb hālaḵ (walk/go about) describes daily activity, yet it's all a vain shew—empty appearance without substance.

Surely they are disquieted in vain (aḵ-heḇel yehemāyûn, אַךְ־הֶבֶל יֶהֱמָיוּן)—Heḇel (הֶבֶל, vanity/vapor) is the key word in Ecclesiastes, meaning breath, vapor, or futility. The verb hāmāh means to be in tumult, roar, or agitate—like waves crashing. Humanity rushes about in frantic activity, yet it's all in vain, producing nothing of lasting value. He heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them—This echoes Ecclesiastes 2:18-21. The participle ṣōḇēr (צֹבֵר, heaps up) suggests accumulating wealth with great effort, yet total ignorance of who will ultimately benefit.

This verse cuts to the heart of existential emptiness apart from God. All human striving—unless rooted in eternal purpose—is vapor. Jesus would later warn against laying up treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19-21) and tell the parable of the rich fool who accumulated much but died that night (Luke 12:16-21). Only what's done for God's kingdom has permanence; everything else is shadow-walking.

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Historical & Cultural Context

David wrote from the perspective of Israel's wealthiest king who had accumulated immense riches (1 Chronicles 29:3-5). Yet even his vast wealth couldn't purchase more time or ultimate meaning. Solomon, his son, would inherit the wealth and expand these themes in Ecclesiastes, demonstrating that even royal wisdom and resources cannot overcome life's fundamental brevity.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what areas of your life are you 'walking in a vain show'—going through motions without substance or eternal purpose?
  2. How does the certainty that someone else will gather what you accumulate change your priorities today?
  3. What would it look like to exchange frantic, futile 'disquiet' for restful focus on the things that matter eternally?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
אַךְ1 of 12
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

בְּצֶ֤לֶם׀2 of 12

“in a vain shew”

H6754

a phantom, i.e., (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol

יִֽתְהַלֶּךְ3 of 12

“walketh”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אִ֗ישׁ4 of 12

“Surely every man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אַךְ5 of 12
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

הֶ֥בֶל6 of 12

“in vain”

H1892

emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as an adverb

יֶהֱמָי֑וּן7 of 12

“surely they are disquieted”

H1993

to make a loud sound (like english 'hum'); by implication, to be in great commotion or tumult, to rage, war, moan, clamor

יִ֝צְבֹּ֗ר8 of 12

“he heapeth up”

H6651

to aggregate

וְֽלֹא9 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יֵדַ֥ע10 of 12

“riches and knoweth”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

מִי11 of 12
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

אֹסְפָֽם׃12 of 12

“not who shall gather”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 39:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 39:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 12:20-21James 4:14Ecclesiastes 2:261 Corinthians 7:31Ecclesiastes 12:13Ecclesiastes 5:14

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