Psalms 102:11

“My days are like a shadow that declineth, etc.] Or, “that is stretched out” f1419, which, though it may appear long, is soon at an end; as it does appear longer when the sun sets f1420, and departs from the earth: he reckons his life not by months and years, but by days; and these he compares to a “shadow”, which has no substance in it; his age being as nothing before the Lord, and has much darkness and obscurity in it; his days being days of darkness, affliction, and trouble, and quickly gone, as man’s life is; there is no abiding; (see <132915>1 Chronicles 29:15 <181402>Job 14:2). Pindar f1421 calls man the dream of a shadow: and I am withered like grass; which in the morning is…”

“My days are like a shadow that declineth - The shadow made by the gnomon on a sun-dial, which marks the hours as they pass. See 2 Kings 20:10. The idea is that the shadow made by the descending sun was about to disappear altogether. It had become less distinct and clear, and it would soon vanish. It would seem from this, that the dial was so made that the shadow indicating the hour ascended when the sun ascended, and declined when the sun went down. See the notes at Isaiah 38:8. And I am withered like grass - See the notes at Psalms 102:4. return to 'Top of Page'”

“102:11 The psalmist’s existence seems empty and transitory (102:4; 109:23; 144:4).”

“My days: Psa 102:3, Psa 39:5, Psa 39:6, Psa 109:23, Psa 144:4; Job 14:2; Ecc 6:12; Jam 4:14 I am withered: Psa 102:4; Isa 40:6-8; Jam 1:10; Pe1 1:24 Psalms 102:12”