Psalm 103:16

16 When [the] wind passes over it, it is no more, and its place knows it no longer.

Psalm 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 ) .

Psalm 103:16 In-Context

14 For he knows our frame. He remembers that we [are] dust.

15 As for man, his days [are] like the grass. As the flower of the field, so he blossoms.

16 When [the] wind passes over it, it is no more, and its place knows it no longer.

17 But the loyal love of Yahweh [is] from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to [their] children's children,

18 to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his precepts.