# Where Does The Bible Say "In Best Of Times You're Days Are Numbered"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 4, 2010, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-bible-say-in-best-of-times-youre-days-are-numbered/527633 "2010-02-04T03:47:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-bible-say-in-best-of-times-youre-days-are-numbered/527633/1 "2010-02-04T03:47:24Z")
I know it doesn’t say it just like that, but I am pretty sure some place in the bible there are passages that allude to the idea that “even in best of times your days are still numbered.” In otherwords don’t worry too much 'cause you’ll wind up dead in the end anyway. There may be more than one place. Is there a phrase like that? Or at least passage which convey the same idea ---
**Author:** ![Quercus\_alba](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quercus_alba/32/4061_2.png) [@Quercus\_alba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus_alba)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-bible-say-in-best-of-times-youre-days-are-numbered/527633/2 "2010-02-04T03:57:38Z")
Don’t know if this was what you had in mind, but it was the first passage that popped into my head… From Psalm 90 (King James Version): 9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. 10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-bible-say-in-best-of-times-youre-days-are-numbered/527633/3 "2010-02-04T04:11:31Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > In otherwords don’t worry too much 'cause you’ll wind up dead in the end anyway. Sounds a bit like the gist of the book of Ecclesiastes. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-bible-say-in-best-of-times-youre-days-are-numbered/527633/4 "2010-02-04T08:23:36Z")
I think it’s from a hymn based on Psalms 39. Hymn: > [@](#): > > “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. > Remind me that my days are numbered— > how fleeting my life is. > You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. > My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; > at best, each of us is but a breath.” > [@](#): > > Psalms 39 (New International Version): > > 4 "Show me, O LORD, my life’s end > and the number of my days; > let me know how fleeting is my life. > > 5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; > the span of my years is as nothing before you. > Each man’s life is but a breath. > Selah Same verses, KJV: > [@](#): > > 4LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am. > > 5Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2010, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-bible-say-in-best-of-times-youre-days-are-numbered/527633/5 "2010-02-04T10:51:45Z")
You are perhaps thinking of the phrase [Et in Arcadia ego.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Et_in_arcadia_ego) (Even in paradise there is death.) It’s not Biblical.