Psalms 39:6 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →People live in illusion, work frantically for riches, yet don't know who inherits them
The Context of Psalms 39:6
A specific example of the vanity principle—the folly of wealth-seeking without understanding
What Does Psalms 39:6 Mean?
The psalmist observes how people live in a vain shew—a hollow appearance or empty display. They are disquieted—restless and agitated—in their pursuit of meaning and security, yet they seek it through the accumulation of riches. This restlessness, ironically, stems from the very thing supposed to provide peace: wealth. The contradiction reveals that material gain cannot fulfill the deeper hunger for purpose.
A final irony completes the picture: the person who gathers wealth knoweth not who shall gather them after his death. The laborer spends his life accumulating what others will inherit, perhaps squander, without his knowledge or control. This image exposes the ultimate futility of wealth-seeking as a life strategy—it leaves the accumulator powerless over his own legacy, his efforts scattered after his death.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 39:6
What does Psalms 39:6 mean?
People live in illusion, work frantically for riches, yet don't know who inherits them
What is the context of Psalms 39:6?
A specific example of the vanity principle—the folly of wealth-seeking without understanding