Psalms 103:16

16 but when the wind sweeps over, it's gone; and its place knows it no more.

Psalms 103:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 103:16

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone
A stormy wind, as the Targum, which tears it up by its roots, or blows off the flower, and it is seen no more; or a blighting easterly wind, which, blowing on it, shrivels it up, and it dies at once; such an one as blasted the seven ears of corn in Pharaoh's dream, ( Genesis 41:23 ) or any impetuous, drying, and noxious wind: and so when the east wind of adversity passes over a man, his riches, and honour, and estate, are presently gone; or some bodily distemper, which takes away health, strength, and beauty, and impairs the mind; and especially death, which removes at once into another world.

And the place thereof shall know it no more;
the place where the flower grew shall know it no more; or it shall be seen no more in it: so man, when he dies, though he is not annihilated, he is somewhere; he is in another world, either of happiness or woe; yet he is not in this world, in the house and family, in the station and business he was; he is no longer known nor seen among men on earth; see ( Job 7:10 ) .

Psalms 103:16 In-Context

14 For he understands how we are made, he remembers that we are dust.

15 Yes, a human being's days are like grass, he sprouts like a flower in the countryside -

16 but when the wind sweeps over, it's gone; and its place knows it no more.

17 But the mercy of ADONAI on those who fear him is from eternity past to eternity future, and his righteousness extends to his children's children,

18 provided they keep his covenant and remember to follow his precepts.