Psalms 103:16

16 But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here.

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 He knows us inside and out, keeps in mind that we're made of mud.

15 Men and women don't live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom,

16 But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here.

17 God's love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear him, Making everything right for them and their children

18 as they follow his Covenant ways and remember to do whatever he said.