Psalms 103:16

KJV

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the wind {H7307} passeth over {H5674} it, and it is gone; and the place {H4725} thereof shall know {H5234} it no more.

Complete Jewish Bible

but when the wind sweeps over, it's gone; and its place knows it no more.

Berean Standard Bible

when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.

American Standard Version

For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; And the place thereof shall know it no more.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 103:16 profoundly articulates the fleeting and transient nature of human life, employing the vivid imagery of a fragile plant swept away by the wind. This verse serves as a poignant reminder of our ephemeral existence on earth, starkly contrasting it with the enduring, steadfast mercy and eternal character of God, which the broader psalm celebrates. It underscores the swiftness with which earthly presence can vanish, leaving no discernible trace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct continuation of the psalmist's profound meditation on human frailty, introduced in [Psalms 103:14-15](/psalms/103-14-15 "Psalms 103:14-15 - God's Knowledge of Our Frame and Man's Fleeting Days"). [Psalms 103:15](/psalms/103-15 "Psalms 103:15 - Man's Days as Grass") explicitly likens humanity's days to "grass" and its flourishing to "a flower of the field," setting the immediate metaphorical stage for the swift disappearance described in verse 16. The broader [Psalm 103](/psalms/103 "Psalm 103 - A Psalm of Praise for God's Goodness and Mercy") is a magnificent hymn of praise, overflowing with gratitude for God's compassion, forgiveness, and steadfast love. Within this context of divine majesty and enduring mercy, the psalmist intentionally highlights human weakness and mortality (as seen in [Psalms 103:14](/psalms/103-14 "Psalms 103:14 - God Knows Our Frame")) to magnify God's patience and understanding of our frail constitution, ultimately leading to the glorious declaration of God's everlasting mercy in [Psalms 103:17](/psalms/103-17 "Psalms 103:17 - God's Everlasting Mercy").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "grass" and "flower of the field" would have resonated deeply with an ancient Israelite audience living in an agrarian society. In the semi-arid climate of the Near East, vegetation, particularly annual grasses and wildflowers, would sprout rapidly after seasonal rains but just as quickly wither under the intense sun or be swept away by strong, dry winds, such as the *khamsin* or *sirocco*. These winds, originating from the desert, could bring sudden desiccation and dust, effectively erasing the temporary greening of the landscape. This natural phenomenon provided a powerful, tangible metaphor for the brevity and fragility of human life, a common theme in ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature and biblical poetry, reflecting a realistic understanding of human mortality in a world without modern medicine or extended lifespans.
* **Key Themes:** [Psalms 103:16](/psalms/103-16 "Psalms 103:16 - The Fleeting Nature of Life") contributes significantly to several overarching themes within [Psalm 103](/psalms/103 "Psalm 103 - A Psalm of Praise for God's Goodness"). Firstly, it profoundly emphasizes **Human Mortality and Transience**, asserting the extreme brevity and impermanence of human existence. Just as a delicate plant is swiftly erased by the wind, so too does human life quickly pass, highlighting our temporary dwelling on earth and the fleeting nature of earthly glory and accomplishments. Secondly, the "wind" serves as a powerful symbol of **God's Sovereignty and the Inevitability of Time and Death**, representing the forces beyond human control that swiftly bring an end to life. This underscores the ease with which human presence can vanish. Finally, and most crucially, this verse functions as a stark **Contrast with God's Eternity and Steadfast Love**. While not explicitly stated within this single verse, its immediate literary placement between declarations of God's understanding of our frailty ([Psalms 103:14](/psalms/103-14 "Psalms 103:14 - God Knows Our Frame")) and His everlasting mercy ([Psalms 103:17](/psalms/103-17 "Psalms 103:17 - God's Everlasting Mercy")) underscores the profound theological point: it is precisely *because* humanity is so transient that God's enduring, unwavering mercy and covenant faithfulness are so magnificent and essential.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wind (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** The Hebrew word רוּחַ (_rûwach_) is rich in meaning, encompassing "wind," "breath," and "spirit." In this context, it primarily refers to a powerful, transient gust of wind, vividly depicting a force that sweeps away the fragile "grass" or "flower." However, the broader semantic range subtly reinforces the idea of life's dependence on breath (which is *rûwach*) and its fleeting nature, as life departs when the *rûwach* (breath/spirit) leaves the body. Here, it is a force of impermanence and dissolution, emphasizing the swiftness and completeness of life's passing.
* **Passeth over (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** The verb עָבַר (_ʻâbar_) means "to cross over," "to go through," or "to pass over." Its use here implies a swift, unhindered movement. The wind does not merely touch or disturb; it "passes over" with an overwhelming force that leaves nothing in its wake. This verb accentuates the speed and inevitability of the process, suggesting that human life, like the delicate plant, is utterly defenseless against the forces that bring about its end.
* **Know (Hebrew, _nâkar'_):** The verb נָכַר (_nâkar_) primarily means "to scrutinize" or "to look intently at," but also encompasses "to acknowledge," "to perceive," and conversely, "to disregard" or "to be strange toward." In the phrase "the place thereof shall know it no more," the psalmist uses **personification** to convey that the very ground or environment where a person once existed will no longer "recognize" or "acknowledge" their presence. This signifies a complete and utter erasure, not just physical absence, but a loss of any discernible trace or memory, emphasizing the profound finality and impermanence of human life on earth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the wind passeth over it,"**: This clause introduces the destructive agent – the "wind" – and its action. The "it" refers back to the "grass" or "flower" of [Psalms 103:15](/psalms/103-15 "Psalms 103:15 - Man's Days as Grass"), symbolizing human life. The imagery evokes a sudden, powerful gust that sweeps across the landscape, leaving desolation in its wake. It highlights the vulnerability of life to external, uncontrollable forces, signifying the inevitability of death and the transient nature of earthly existence.
* **"and it is gone;"**: This short, stark clause emphasizes the immediate and complete disappearance. The transition from presence to absence is instantaneous and absolute. There is no lingering, no gradual fading, but a sudden cessation of being. This conveys the fragility of life and the swiftness with which an individual's earthly journey concludes, underscoring the finality of death in the temporal realm.
* **"and the place thereof shall know it no more."**: This concluding clause intensifies the sense of complete erasure and oblivion. By personifying the "place," the psalmist suggests that not only is the individual physically absent, but even the very ground or environment where they once thrived retains no memory or recognition of their former existence. It speaks to the impermanence of human impact and the swiftness with which one's earthly presence can be forgotten, highlighting the ultimate insignificance of individual human life apart from an eternal perspective.

#### Literary Devices
[Psalms 103:16](/psalms/103-16 "Psalms 103:16 - The Fleeting Nature of Life") employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The primary device is **Metaphor**, where human life, previously likened to "grass" and "a flower of the field" in [Psalms 103:15](/psalms/103-15 "Psalms 103:15 - Man's Days as Grass"), is implicitly carried over into this verse. The "wind" functions as a **Symbol** of the forces of time, decay, and death that swiftly bring an end to life. The phrase "the place thereof shall know it no more" is a striking example of **Personification**, attributing the human capacity for "knowing" or remembering to an inanimate "place." This device vividly communicates the utter absence and complete erasure of the individual's earthly presence. The combined imagery also creates a strong **Contrast** between the extreme brevity of human life and the implied enduring nature of God, a theme explicitly developed in the surrounding verses. The swiftness and finality described also lean into **Hyperbole** to emphasize the complete and irreversible nature of this disappearance, driving home the psalmist's point about human transience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 103:16, in its stark depiction of human transience, serves as a crucial theological anchor within the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the universal truth of human mortality, a consequence of the Fall, and the inherent fragility of our earthly existence. This verse does not diminish the value of human life, but rather, by highlighting its brevity, it magnifies the astounding, enduring, and compassionate mercy of God towards such fleeting beings. It invites a profound humility, reminding humanity of its creaturely limitations and dependence on a sovereign God whose nature is eternal and whose love is steadfast. The theological implication is that true meaning and lasting hope cannot be found in the temporary pursuits or achievements of this world, but only in relationship with the eternal God who "knows our frame" ([Psalms 103:14](/psalms/103-14 "Psalms 103:14 - God Knows Our Frame")) and whose mercy endures forever.

* [Job 14:1-2](/job/14-1-2 "Job 14:1-2 - Man Born of Woman, Full of Trouble")
* [James 4:14](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life is a Vapor")
* [1 Peter 1:24-25](/1_peter/1-24-25 "1 Peter 1:24-25 - The Fleetingness of Flesh and the Enduring Word")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The poignant truth of Psalms 103:16, that our earthly presence is as fleeting as a whisper on the wind, serves as a profound call to introspection and a reordering of priorities. If our time here is so brief and our earthly impact so easily erased, then wisdom dictates we should not cling to the temporal but rather invest in the eternal. This verse challenges us to live with intentionality, cherishing each day as a precious gift and focusing on what truly lasts: our relationship with God, acts of love and service, and the pursuit of righteousness. It fosters a deep sense of humility, reminding us that our strength, accomplishments, and even our memory on earth are ultimately fragile. Consequently, our hope and security must be anchored not in ourselves or the transient world, but solely in the enduring character and unfailing mercy of God, whose love is from everlasting to everlasting. This perspective liberates us from the anxiety of earthly striving and redirects our gaze toward the divine, encouraging a life lived in dependence on Him and for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the brevity of life, as depicted in this verse, impact your daily priorities and long-term goals?**
* **In what practical ways are you investing your time, energy, and resources in what is eternal rather than what is temporal?**
* **How does recognizing your inherent fragility and transient nature deepen your dependence on God's enduring mercy and faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that human life is insignificant or without purpose?**

Answer: No, quite the opposite. While [Psalms 103:16](/psalms/103-16 "Psalms 103:16 - The Fleeting Nature of Life") vividly portrays the *fragility* and *brevity* of human life, its purpose is not to diminish human value but to magnify the *greatness* of God's mercy and steadfast love *towards* such fragile beings. The preceding verse, [Psalms 103:14](/psalms/103-14 "Psalms 103:14 - God Knows Our Frame"), states that God "knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust." It is precisely because we are so fleeting that God's enduring compassion and forgiveness become so profound and awe-inspiring. Our significance is not in our temporal endurance, but in our being created in God's image and being the recipients of His eternal grace.

**What is the "wind" a metaphor for in this verse?**

Answer: The "wind" (Hebrew: *rûwach*) in [Psalms 103:16](/psalms/103-16 "Psalms 103:16 - The Fleeting Nature of Life") is a powerful metaphor for the irresistible forces of time, decay, and ultimately, death. It symbolizes the swift, unseen, and overwhelming power that brings an end to human life and presence. Just as a strong desert wind can quickly dry up and sweep away delicate vegetation, so too does the passage of time and the inevitability of death swiftly remove individuals from the earthly scene, leaving no trace. It underscores the impermanence of all things earthly and the ultimate lack of control humanity has over its own existence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Psalms 103:16](/psalms/103-16 "Psalms 103:16 - The Fleeting Nature of Life"), with its stark portrayal of human transience, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While humanity is likened to grass that withers and is swept away by the wind, Jesus is the eternal [Word who became flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the very source of life who entered into our fleeting existence. He fully embraced human mortality, experiencing the "wind" of death on the cross, yet He conquered it, rising victorious from the grave. His resurrection fundamentally reverses the curse of oblivion described in the psalm, offering eternal life and an enduring hope to all who believe. Through Christ, our transient lives are imbued with eternal significance, for He is the [resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"), and because He lives, we also shall live ([John 14:19](/john/14-19 "John 14:19 - Because I Live, You Also Will Live")). His kingdom is not subject to the passing winds of time, but is an [everlasting kingdom](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - His Dominion is an Everlasting Dominion"), and those united with Him receive an [inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Imperishable Inheritance"). Thus, the fleeting nature of human life in the psalm points us directly to the eternal steadfastness and life-giving power embodied in our Savior, Jesus Christ, who is [the same yesterday and today and forever](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 40:7

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people [is] grass.

Job 20:9

The eye also [which] saw him shall [see him] no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.

Job 14:10

But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where [is] he?

Job 7:6

My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

Job 7:10

He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.

Genesis 5:24

And Enoch walked with God: and he [was] not; for God took him.

Job 8:18

If he destroy him from his place, then [it] shall deny him, [saying], I have not seen thee.