Psalms 103:16

16 (102-16) For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: and he shall know his place 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 (102-14) For he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust:
15 (102-15) Man’s days are as grass, as the flower of the field so shall he flourish.
16 (102-16) For the spirit shall pass in him, and he shall not be: and he shall know his place no more.
17 (102-17) But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity and unto eternity upon them that fear him: And his justice unto children’s children,
18 (102-18) To such as keep his covenant, And are mindful of his commandments to do them.
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