Topical Bible: Man: Walks in a Vain Show

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Topical Encyclopedia

The phrase "walks in a vain show" is derived from Psalm 39:6 in the Berean Standard Bible, which reads: "Surely every man walks in a mere phantom; surely he bustles about in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will gather them." This expression captures the transient and often futile nature of human endeavors when they are pursued apart from God.

Biblical Context and Meaning

In Psalm 39, David reflects on the brevity and frailty of human life. The psalm is a meditation on the fleeting nature of existence and the vanity of worldly pursuits. The phrase "walks in a vain show" suggests that human life, when lived without eternal perspective, is like a shadow or a phantom—insubstantial and ultimately meaningless. This imagery underscores the futility of striving for material wealth and success without acknowledging God's sovereignty and eternal purposes.

Theological Implications

From a theological standpoint, the concept of walking in a "vain show" serves as a caution against placing ultimate value on temporal achievements and possessions. It highlights the biblical teaching that life is a gift from God and should be lived in accordance with His will. The pursuit of wealth, status, and earthly pleasures, when detached from a relationship with God, leads to emptiness and dissatisfaction.

The Bible consistently warns against the deception of riches and the danger of prioritizing worldly success over spiritual growth. In the New Testament, Jesus echoes this sentiment in Matthew 6:19-21 : "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Practical Application

For believers, the admonition against walking in a "vain show" calls for a re-evaluation of priorities. It encourages a life focused on eternal values rather than temporary gains. Christians are urged to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), trusting that God will provide for their needs.

This perspective fosters a lifestyle marked by contentment, generosity, and a commitment to serving others. It challenges individuals to invest in relationships, community, and spiritual growth, recognizing that these have lasting significance beyond the temporal confines of earthly life.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of walking in a "vain show" serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of human life and the futility of pursuits that are disconnected from God's eternal purposes. It calls believers to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual growth and alignment with God's will over the fleeting allure of worldly success.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 39:6
Surely every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows not who shall gather them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Psalm 39
... As nothing: sure each man at best. is wholly vanity. ^6Sure each man walks in a
vain show; they vex themselves in vain: He heaps up wealth, and doth not know. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 39.htm

But we Need no Longer Show in this Narrow Way the Drawback of this ...
... It is a mind such as this that "walks in darkness ... unchecked, unbounded luxury, lust
of power, vain-glory, the ... of this accursed chain, suppose a man who because ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter iv but we need.htm

Psalm XXXIX.
... in Our Image, after Our Likeness." [1051] "Albeit man walks in the ... Like a shrewd
man as you are, you leave ... looking back on a certain "vain" show, and looking ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxix.htm

The Bitterness and Blessedness of the Brevity of Life
... 'Every man walketh in a vain show.' The original ... a shadow, or, as we should say,
he walks as a ... the whole outward life and activity of every man is represented ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the bitterness and blessedness of.htm

Ahab and Elijah
... The man who walks in the 'vain show' of transgression, whose heart is set upon
evil,"he fancies that ashes are bread, and stones gold (as in the old fairy ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/ahab and elijah.htm

Answer to Objections: Man's Freewill and God's Foreknowledge
... deny that it is himself that wills, eats, walks, gives assent ... From this man who,
after having devoted himself to the ... If I do not pray in vain for what concerns ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter iv answer to objections .htm

Its Evidence
... The Apostle shows their hope was a vain one, and that ... its fruits, that a righteous
person is one who walks in the ... He declares that the man who is not a doer of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/9 its evidence.htm

Sovereignty and Salvation
... or like Samson with Delilah: we shake our vain limbs with ... be saved?" "Yes," says
God; "I will show you Jews ... There is no stumbling when a man walks with his eyes ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/sovereignty and salvation.htm

The Lame Man Cured by Peter and John.
... the most perfect art should have laboured in vain to subdue. ... He stands, he leaps,
he walks, he follows his benefactors ... or holiness, we had made this man to walk ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture iv the lame man.htm

Implanted Dispositions.
... only a mirror reflecting the divine nature is the vain effort of ... qualities in every
sphere: in the material world, for man eats, drinks, walks, and sleeps ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ix implanted dispositions.htm