Psalm 103:15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 103:6-18

Hitherto the psalmist had only looked back upon his own experiences and thence fetched matter for praise; here he looks abroad and takes notice of his favour to others also; for in them we should rejoice and give thanks for them, all the saints being fed at a common table and sharing in the same blessings. I. Truly God is good to all (Ps. 103:6): He executes righteousness and judgment, not only for his own people, but for all that are oppressed; for even in common providence he is the patron... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 103:15

As for man, his days are as grass ,.... 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 Psalm 90:5 . 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,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:15

His days are as grass - See the note on Psalm 90:5 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 103:15

Verse 15 To the same purpose is the comparison immediately following, (verse 15,) that all the excellency of man withers away like a fading flower at the first blast of the wind. Man is indeed improperly said to flourish. But as it might be alleged that he is, nevertheless, distinguished by some endowment or other, David grants that he flourishes like the grass, instead of saying, as he might justly have done, that he is a vapor or shadow, or a thing of nought. Although, as long as we live in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:1-22

The psalm divides itself into four portions: the first ( Psalms 103:1-5 ) an outburst of praise for blessings granted by God to each man severally; the second ( Psalms 103:6-14 ) an enumeration of his loving kindnesses towards his Church as a whole; the third ( Psalms 103:15-18 ) a representation of man's weakness and dependence on God; and the fourth ( Psalms 103:19-22 ) a glance at God's unchanging glory, and a call upon all his creation to bless and worship him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:6-18

The confidence of God's children. These strong, sustaining words call us to consider— I. TO WHOM THE DIVINE ASSURANCES ARE GIVEN . It is clear that they are given to the servants of God. The thought runs through the whole passage (see Psalms 103:11 , Psalms 103:13 , Psalms 103:18 ). Where this is not explicitly stated, it is to be understood (see particularly Psalms 103:12 ). Those may not claim the fulfilment of promises to whom they were not made. First enter... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:13-18

Wherefore another gospel when we have this? It should seem as if no gospel could be more full, precious, clear, and heart uplifting than this. It is paralleled but not surpassed by St. John's word, "God is love." Why, then, was it needful for Christ to come in order to reveal to us another gospel? Have we not everything here, in this utterance of the Old Testament, and in those others in the same Old Testament, which are like unto it? What more, then, could be needed? We reply— I. THE... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 103:15

As for man, his days are as grass. Here is a new departure. From the loving kindness and mercy of God the psalmist passes to the weakness and helplessness of man. Man is like grass ( Psalms 37:2 ; Psalms 90:5 , Psalms 90:6 ; Psalms 102:11 ; Isaiah 40:6-8 , etc.). His days fleet and fade. He never "continueth in one stay." As a flower of the field (comp. Job 14:2 ; Isaiah 28:1 ; Isaiah 40:6 ; James 1:10 ; 1 Peter 1:24 , etc.). He flourisheth; i.e. he cometh up in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 103:15

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... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 103:14-16

Psalms 103:14-16. For he knoweth our frame The weakness and mortality of our natures, and the frailty and misery of our condition, (as the expression seems to be explained in the following clause) That we are but dust And that if he should let loose his hand upon us, we should be irrecoverably destroyed. For, as for man Fallen, mortal man; his days are as grass Which grows out of the earth, rises but a little way above it, and soon withers and returns to it again: see Isaiah 40:6-7.... read more

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