Psalms 90:5

KJV

Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are [as] a sleep: in the morning [they are] like grass [which] groweth up.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou carriest them away as with a flood {H2229}{H8804)}; they are as a sleep {H8142}: in the morning {H1242} they are like grass {H2682} which groweth up {H2498}{H8799)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When you sweep them away, they become like sleep; by morning they are like growing grass,

Berean Standard Bible

You whisk them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning—

American Standard Version

Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: In the morning they are like grass which groweth up.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 90:5, embedded within Moses' profound prayer, starkly contrasts the eternal, unchanging nature of God with the fleeting, ephemeral existence of humanity. Through vivid metaphors, the verse powerfully conveys the brevity, fragility, and transient quality of human life, likening it to an overwhelming flood, a brief sleep, and rapidly growing grass that quickly withers, thereby underscoring humanity's utter dependence on the divine in the face of its own mortality.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 90 stands as a unique and foundational lament within the Psalter, traditionally attributed to Moses. It opens by establishing God as the eternal, unchangeable dwelling place and refuge for all generations, existing "from everlasting to everlasting" ([Psalms 90:1-2](/psalms/90-1 "Psalms 90:1-2 - God's Eternal Dwelling")). This sets up a profound theological contrast with the subsequent verses, which lament the brevity and frailty of human life. Verse 3 introduces the theme of God turning humanity back to dust, and verse 4 emphasizes the divine perspective on time, where a thousand years are but a single day. Verse 5 then intensifies this contrast, using striking imagery to depict human life as swiftly swept away. This verse flows directly into [Psalms 90:6](/psalms/90-6 "Psalms 90:6 - Grass that Withers"), which completes the grass metaphor, and the subsequent verses (7-11) attribute this brevity to God's wrath against sin, culminating in Moses' prayer for wisdom to number their days and apply their hearts to wisdom ([Psalms 90:12](/psalms/90-12 "Psalms 90:12 - Prayer for Wisdom")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The traditional attribution to Moses places this psalm during the Israelites' forty-year wilderness wandering, a period marked by divine judgment and widespread mortality due to their disobedience and rebellion against God (see [Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-35 - The Wilderness Generation Dies")). This historical backdrop profoundly shapes the psalm's somber tone and its emphasis on human mortality. For a people experiencing such widespread death, the imagery of life being swept away like a flood or withering like grass would resonate deeply. Culturally, ancient Israel understood life as a gift from God, but also as inherently fragile and dependent on His sustenance. The agricultural imagery of grass was particularly potent in a pastoral society, where the rapid growth and equally rapid wilting of vegetation under the harsh sun was a common, observable phenomenon, serving as a powerful metaphor for human existence.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Psalms 90 is the **stark contrast between divine eternity and human transience**. God is portrayed as eternal, unchangeable, and sovereign over time and life, while humanity is depicted as fleeting, fragile, and subject to death. This leads to the theme of **divine sovereignty over life and death**, as it is God who "carriest them away." The psalm also implicitly addresses the theme of **sin and divine judgment**, as the brevity of life is connected to God's wrath against human transgression (e.g., [Psalms 90:7-8](/psalms/90-7 "Psalms 90:7-8 - God's Wrath")). Ultimately, the psalm pivots to a plea for **wisdom and a right perspective on life**, urging the people to "number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" ([Psalms 90:12](/psalms/90-12 "Psalms 90:12 - Prayer for Wisdom")). Verse 5 contributes significantly to the lament over human brevity, setting the stage for the psalm's ultimate call to seek God's favor and eternal perspective.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Flood (Hebrew, _zerem_):** This word (זֶרֶם) denotes a violent downpour, a rushing torrent, or an overwhelming flood. In this context, it emphasizes the sudden, irresistible, and destructive force with which human life is swept away by time and death. It's not a gentle fading, but a powerful, uncontainable force that leaves little trace, highlighting the helplessness of humanity before the divine decree.
* **Sleep (Hebrew, _shenah_):** The Hebrew word (שֵׁנָה) refers to ordinary sleep or slumber. While "sleep" is a common biblical euphemism for death, here its primary emphasis is on the brevity and insubstantiality of life. Just as a dream or a night's sleep quickly passes and is forgotten upon waking, so too does human life, from an eternal perspective, seem like a fleeting, insubstantial moment, quickly vanishing.
* **Grass (Hebrew, _chatsir_):** This term (חָצִיר) refers to green grass or herbage. It is a recurring biblical motif for human fragility and impermanence, especially when contrasted with the enduring nature of God's Word or His eternal being. The imagery highlights rapid growth and initial vibrancy, only to be followed by an inevitable and swift wilting, particularly in the arid climate of the ancient Near East, powerfully illustrating the transient nature of human existence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou carriest them away as with a flood":** This opening clause immediately establishes God's active role ("Thou carriest") in the brevity of human life. The metaphor of a "flood" (זרם) conveys an overwhelming, irresistible, and sudden force. It suggests that human generations are swept away by the current of time and death with the same swiftness and finality as objects caught in a flash flood, leaving behind little evidence of their presence. This emphasizes divine sovereignty over life and death, and the utter helplessness of humanity.
* **"they are [as] a sleep":** This simile likens human life to a brief sleep or a dream. The emphasis here is on the ephemeral, insubstantial, and quickly forgotten nature of human existence when viewed from an eternal perspective. Just as one wakes from a dream and it quickly fades from memory, so too does life pass swiftly, its events and struggles appearing transient and fleeting in the vastness of eternity. It underscores the quiet, almost unnoticed, passing of generations.
* **"in the morning [they are] like grass [which] groweth up":** This third simile introduces a new image, focusing on the initial stage of life. "In the morning" signifies the beginning, the vibrancy of youth and the vigor of early life. "Like grass which groweth up" vividly portrays the rapid emergence, freshness, and initial flourishing of human life, full of promise and vitality. However, this image is deliberately incomplete within this verse, setting up the inevitable contrast in the subsequent verse ([Psalms 90:6](/psalms/90-6 "Psalms 90:6 - Grass that Withers")), where this same grass is "cut down, and withered" by evening, thereby completing the powerful picture of rapid growth followed by swift decay.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 90:5 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound message of human transience. The most prominent are **Simile** and **Metaphor**, used interchangeably to draw striking comparisons. Life is explicitly compared "as with a flood," "as a sleep," and "like grass," creating vivid mental images for the reader. The **Imagery** is particularly potent, evoking the destructive power of a sudden deluge, the fleeting nature of a dream, and the ephemeral beauty of rapidly growing and withering vegetation. This sequence of images builds a cumulative effect, each reinforcing the others to emphasize the swiftness and inevitability of human mortality. Furthermore, the verse functions as part of a larger **Juxtaposition** that runs throughout Psalms 90, directly contrasting the eternal, unchanging nature of God (introduced in [Psalms 90:1-2](/psalms/90-1 "Psalms 90:1-2 - God's Eternal Dwelling")) with the transient, fragile existence of humanity, thereby highlighting God's sovereignty and prompting a reflection on humanity's place in His eternal plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 90:5 serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's finite nature in the face of an infinite God. Theologically, it underscores God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, portraying Him as the active agent who "carries them away." This brevity of life, often linked to the consequences of sin in the broader psalm, compels a sober reflection on the temporal nature of earthly existence and the eternal weight of spiritual realities. It challenges humanity to acknowledge its limitations and dependence on God, shifting focus from transient earthly pursuits to eternal values and the pursuit of divine wisdom. The verse implicitly calls for a reordering of priorities, recognizing that true security and significance are found not in human endeavors or lifespan, but in relationship with the everlasting God.

* [Isaiah 40:6-8](/isaiah/40-6 "Isaiah 40:6-8 - All Flesh is Grass")
* [James 4:14](/james/4-14 "James 4:14 - Life is a Vapor")
* [1 Peter 1:24-25](/1_peter/1-24 "1 Peter 1:24-25 - All Flesh is Like Grass")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound imagery of Psalms 90:5, depicting life as a swiftly passing flood, a brief sleep, and fading grass, serves not to instill despair but to awaken a vital sense of spiritual urgency and purpose. Recognizing the brevity of our earthly journey should compel us to live with intentionality, prioritizing what truly matters in the light of eternity. It invites us to evaluate our pursuits, relationships, and aspirations, asking whether they align with God's eternal purposes or are merely chasing transient shadows. This verse encourages us to cultivate a heart of wisdom, to "number our days" not with anxiety, but with a sober awareness that each moment is a precious gift to be stewarded for God's glory. It should drive us to seek refuge and meaning in the eternal God, rather than in the fleeting comforts or achievements of this world, fostering a deep dependence on His grace and an eager anticipation of His everlasting kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of a "flood," "sleep," and "grass" challenge your perception of time and the value you place on earthly pursuits?**
* **In what ways might a deeper awareness of life's brevity motivate you to live more purposefully for God's glory?**
* **What practical steps can you take to "number your days" in a way that leads to a heart of wisdom and a focus on eternal priorities?**

### FAQ

**Why does the Bible so often use seemingly negative or bleak imagery to describe human life?**

Answer: The Bible frequently employs vivid, sometimes stark, imagery to describe human life (e.g., as grass, mist, a breath, a shadow) not to be negative for negativity's sake, but to convey profound theological truths. Firstly, it highlights the **fragility and transience of human existence** in contrast to the eternal, unchanging nature of God. This contrast is central to Psalms 90, where God is depicted as existing "from everlasting to everlasting" ([Psalms 90:2](/psalms/90-2 "Psalms 90:2 - God's Eternal Nature")), while humanity is fleeting. Secondly, it serves as a **humbling reminder of human finitude and dependence** on a sovereign God. By emphasizing our temporary nature, the Scriptures encourage humility and discourage pride or self-sufficiency. Thirdly, and most importantly, these descriptions are often a **call to wisdom and spiritual urgency**. If life is brief, then how we live it, and with what purpose, becomes paramount. Passages like [Psalms 90:12](/psalms/90-12 "Psalms 90:12 - Prayer for Wisdom") directly link the brevity of life to the need to "number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Far from being pessimistic, this biblical realism aims to reorient our perspective from the temporal to the eternal, driving us to seek lasting hope and meaning in God alone.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 90:5 powerfully laments the brevity of human life under the shadow of divine judgment, its ultimate fulfillment and transformation are found in Jesus Christ. The psalmist's cry for wisdom in the face of human mortality finds its answer in the one who is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")). Christ, being God incarnate, embodies the very eternity that the psalmist contrasts with human transience; He is "the same yesterday and today and forever" ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus is the Same")). The "flood" that carries away humanity is conquered by Him who walked on water and calmed the storm, demonstrating His sovereignty over all creation. The "sleep" of death, which once seemed final, is now transformed by Christ's resurrection into a temporary state, for He is "the resurrection and the life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), promising that whoever believes in Him, though he die, yet shall he live. The fading "grass" of human flesh finds its eternal hope in the imperishable seed of God's Word, which is Christ Himself, through whom believers are born anew to an inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading" ([1 Peter 1:3-4](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - Imperishable Inheritance")). Thus, the bleak reality of human mortality, so vividly depicted in Psalms 90:5, is not dismissed but overcome and redefined by the eternal life and victory secured through Christ's atoning sacrifice and glorious resurrection, offering an enduring hope beyond the grave.

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 40:6

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh [is] grass, and all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field:

Psalms 103:15

[As for] man, his days [are] as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

Psalms 103:16

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

Psalms 73:20

As a dream when [one] awaketh; [so], O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.

Job 22:16

Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:

1 Peter 1:24

¶ For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

Job 27:20

Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.