8:4 Of what importance is the human race, 1 that you should notice 2 them?
Of what importance is mankind, 3 that you should pay attention to them, 4
14:2 The Lord looks down from heaven 5 at the human race, 6
to see if there is anyone who is wise 7 and seeks God. 8
53:2 God looks down from heaven 9 at the human race, 10
to see if there is anyone who is wise 11 and seeks God. 12
62:9 Men are nothing but a mere breath;
human beings are unreliable. 13
When they are weighed in the scales,
all of them together are lighter than air. 14
144:3 O Lord, of what importance is the human race, 15 that you should notice them?
Of what importance is mankind, 16 that you should be concerned about them? 17
1 tn Heb “What is man[kind]?” The singular noun אֱנוֹשׁ (’enosh, “man”) is used here in a collective sense and refers to the human race.
2 tn Heb “remember him.”
3 tn Heb “and the son of man.” The phrase “son of man” is used here in a collective sense and refers to human beings. For other uses of the phrase in a collective or representative manner, see Num 23:19; Ps 146:3; Isa 51:12.
4 tn The two imperfect verbal forms in v. 4 describe God’s characteristic activity.
5 sn The picture of the
6 tn Heb “upon the sons of man.”
7 tn Or “acts wisely.” The Hiphil is exhibitive.
8 sn Anyone who is wise and seeks God refers to the person who seeks to have a relationship with God by obeying and worshiping him.
9 sn The picture of the
10 tn Heb “upon the sons of man.”
11 tn Or “acts wisely.” The Hiphil is exhibitive.
12 tn That is, who seeks to have a relationship with God by obeying and worshiping him.
13 tn Heb “only a breath [are] the sons of mankind, a lie [are] the sons of man.” The phrases “sons of mankind” and “sons of man” also appear together in Ps 49:2. Because of the parallel line there, where “rich and poor” are mentioned, a number of interpreters and translators treat these expressions as polar opposites, בְּנֵי אָדָם (bÿney ’adam) referring to the lower classes and בְּנֵי אִישׁ (bÿney ’ish) to higher classes. But usage does not support such a view. The rare phrase בְּנֵי אִישׁ (“sons of man”) appears to refer to human beings in general in its other uses (see Pss 4:2; Lam 3:33). It is better to understand the phrases as synonymous expressions.
14 tn The noun הֶבֶל (hevel), translated “a breath” earlier in the verse, appears again here.
15 tn Heb “What is mankind?” The singular noun אֱנוֹשׁ (’enosh) is used here in a collective sense and refers to the human race. See Ps 8:5.
16 tn Heb “and the son of man.” The phrase “son of man” is used here in a collective sense and refers to human beings. For other uses of the phrase in a collective or representative manner, see Num 23:19; Ps 146:3; Isa 51:12.
17 tn Heb “take account of him.” The two imperfect verbal forms in v. 4 describe God’s characteristic activity.