Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 4. Man is like to vanity ] hmd lbhl µda Adam lahebel damah, literally, Adam is like to Hebel, exposed to the same miseries, accidents, and murderers; for in millions of cases the hands of brothers are lifted up to shed the blood of brothers. What are wars but fratricide in the great human family? His days are as a shadow - The life of Hebel was promissory of much blessedness; but it afforded merely the shadow of happiness. He was pure and holy, beloved of his parents, and beloved of God; but, becoming the object of his brother's envy, his life became a sacrifice to his piety.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - When men become eminent for things as to which they have had fe advantages, they should be more deeply sensible that God has been their Teacher. Happy those to whom the Lord gives that noblest victory conquest and dominion over their own spirits. A prayer for furthe mercy is fitly begun with a thanksgiving for former mercy. There was special power of God, inclining the people of Israel to be subject to David; it was typical of the bringing souls into subjection to the Lor Jesus. Man's days have little substance, considering how many thought and cares of a never-dying soul are employed about a poor dying body Man's life is as a shadow that passes away. In their highest earthl exaltation, believers will recollect how mean, sinful, and vile the are in themselves; thus they will be preserved from self-importance an presumption. God's time to help his people is, when they are sinking and all other helps fail.
Original Hebrew אדם120 להבל1892 דמה1819 ימיו3117 כצל6738 עובר׃5674
