Psalms 103:15

“As for man, his days are as grass, etc.] He himself is like the grass which springs out of the earth; continues on it for a time, and then drops into it; the continuance of the grass is very short, it flourishes in the morning, is cut down at evening, and withers; (see <199005>Psalm 90:5,6). As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth; which denotes the goodliness of man, and describes him in his best estate, as possessed of health, riches, honour, and all the gifts and endowments of nature; and yet, with all these, is only like a field flower, exposed to every wind, liable to be cropped by every hand, and to be trampled upon by the beasts of the field; and therefore flourishes not long: so…”

“As for man - literally, “Man; like the grass are his days!” The thought is fixed on man: man so frail and weak; man, not only made originally of earth, but man delicate, feeble, soon to pass away like the springing grass, or like the fading flower. His days are as grass - See the notes at Psalms 90:5-6; compare Isaiah 40:6-8, notes; 1 Peter 1:24, note. As a flower of the field - As a blossom. It opens with beauty and fragrance, but soon fades and perishes. So he flourisheth - Rather, “So he blossoms.” That is, he is like a flower that is fresh and beautiful, and that soon withers away. return to 'Top of Page'”

“his days: Psa 90:5, Psa 90:6; Isa 40:6-8, Isa 51:12; Jam 1:10, Jam 1:11; Pe1 1:24 a flower: Job 14:1-3; Isa 28:1, Isa 28:4; Nah 1:4 Psalms 103:16”

“The figure of the grass recalls Psa 90:5., cf. Isa 40:6-8; Isa 51:12; that of the flower, Job 14:2. אנושׁ is man as a mortal being; his life's duration is likened to that of a blade of grass, and his beauty and glory to a flower of the field, whose fullest bloom is also the beginning of its fading. In Psa 103:16 בּו (the same as in Isa 40:7.) refers to man, who is compared to grass and flowers. כּי is ἐάν with a hypothetical perfect; and the wind that scorches up the plants, referred to man, is an emblem of every form of peril that threatens life: often enough it is really a breath of wind which snaps off a man's life. The bold designation of vanishing away without leaving any trace, "and…”