Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 3. My days are consumed like smoke ] He represents himself (for the psalmist speaks in the name of the people) under the notion of a pile of combustible matter, placed upon a fire, which soon consumes it; part flying away in smoke, and the residue lying on the hearth in the form of charred coal and ashes. The Chaldeans were the fire, and the captive Jews the fuel, thus converted into smoke and ashes.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-11 - The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but here, i often elsewhere, the Holy Ghost has put words into our mouths. Here in a prayer put into the hands of the afflicted; let them present it to God. Even good men may be almost overwhelmed with afflictions. It is our duty and interest to pray; and it is comfort to an afflicted spiri to unburden itself, by a humble representation of its griefs. We mus say, Blessed be the name of the Lord, who both gives and takes away The psalmist looked upon himself as a dying man; My days are like shadow.
Original Hebrew כי3588 כלו3615 בעשׁן6227 ימי3117 ועצמותי6106 כמו4168 קד4168 נחרו׃2787
