This melancholy psalm highlights the brevity of life and the fleeting nature of all it offers. There is no hint of the life to come: revelation is still far ahead. All the psalmists could ask for was a resigned acceptance of their human condition. Yet even this is a stepping stone: his hope rests in the eternal Lord, who cannot abandon him. He is close to realizing that death, without further hope, would be a forsaking he cannot accept. Although God has given us everything by giving us his Son, we possess nothing and continue to wait for everything from his mercy. Show me how fragile and fleeting my life is (v. 5). The psalmist reminds us how fragile and temporary our lives are. While praying this psalm, we are reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19: “Do not store up treasure for yourself here on earth where moth and rust destroy it, and where thieves can steal it.” And further, in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. Otherwise, I would not have told you I have prepared a place for you. After I have gone and prepared a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am, you may be also.” When we receive such a solid assurance from our Lord and Savior Himself, why should we fear anything here on earth?