Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Man » Insignificance of
When I view and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established, What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you know and have understanding.
“What is man, that he should be pure and clean,
Or he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous and just?
Even in His [heavenly] servants He puts no trust or confidence, and His angels He charges with folly and error -- " How much more those who dwell in houses (bodies) of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed like the moth.
Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he that is wise is profitable to himself. Is it any pleasure or advantage to the Almighty that you are righteous (upright and in right standing with Him)? Or is it gain to Him that you make your ways perfect? Is it for your [reverential] fear of Him that He [thus] reproves you, that He enters with you into judgment? read more.
Is not your wickedness great? There is no end to your iniquities.
Is not your wickedness great? There is no end to your iniquities.
How then can man be justified and righteous before God? Or how can he who is born of a woman be pure and clean? Behold, even the moon has no brightness [compared to God's glory] and the stars are not pure in His sight -- " How much less man, who is a maggot! And a son of man, who is a worm!
Do you think this is your right, or are you saying, My righteousness is more than God's, That you ask, What advantage have you? How am I profited more than if I had sinned? I will answer you and your companions with you. read more.
Look to the heavens and see; and behold the skies which are higher than you. If you have sinned, how does that affect God? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what have you done to Him? If you are righteous, what do you [by that] give God? Or what does He receive from your hand? Your wickedness touches and affects a man such as you are, and your righteousness is for yourself, one of the human race [but it cannot touch God, Who is above such influence].
Look to the heavens and see; and behold the skies which are higher than you. If you have sinned, how does that affect God? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what have you done to Him? If you are righteous, what do you [by that] give God? Or what does He receive from your hand? Your wickedness touches and affects a man such as you are, and your righteousness is for yourself, one of the human race [but it cannot touch God, Who is above such influence].
Have you commanded the morning since your days began and caused the dawn to know its place, So that [light] may get hold of the corners of the earth and shake the wickedness [of night] out of it?
Lord, what is man that You take notice of him? Or [the] son of man that You take account of him? Man is like vanity and a breath; his days are as a shadow that passes away.