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Psalms 103:15
Verse
Context
Sermons
Paul WasherPaul Washer
K.P. Yohannan
David Wilkerson
John Henry Jowett
Ralph ErskineSummary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
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 his place knoweth him no more," is taken from Job 7:10, cf. ibid. Job 8:18; Job 20:9. In the midst of this plant-like, frail destiny, there is, however, one strong ground of comfort. There is an everlasting power, which raises all those who link themselves with it above the transitoriness involved in nature's laws, and makes them eternal like itself. This power is the mercy of God, which spans itself above (על) all those who fear Him like an eternal heaven. This is God's righteousness, which rewards faithful adherence to His covenant and conscientious fulfilment of His precepts in accordance with the order of redemption, and shows itself even to (ל) children's children, according to Exo 20:6; Exo 34:7; Deu 7:9 : on into a thousand generations, i.e., into infinity.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
So short and frail is life that a breath may destroy it. it is gone--literally, "it is not." know it no more--no more recognize him (Psa 90:6; Isa 40:6-8).
John Gill Bible Commentary
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him,.... In opposition to the frailty of man, the stability and duration of the mercy of God is observed. This reaches from one eternity to another; it is from everlasting in the heart of God: it appeared in the choice of the vessels of mercy; in the covenant of grace, which is founded upon it, and filled with it; every blessing of which flows from it, and therefore are called the "sure mercies of David". And it appears in time in the regeneration of God's elect, which is according to his abundant mercy; in the forgiveness of their sins, which is according to the multitude of his tender mercies; and in their whole salvation, which is by that, and not by works of righteousness; and will endure for ever, for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ is unto eternal life. It reaches from the world past to the world to come, as the Targum; and it is so "upon them that fear" the Lord; not with a servile, but a filial fear; a fear of the Lord and his goodness; which only is consistent with the grace and mercy of God, and a sense of it: not that the fear of God is the cause of mercy or grace; but, on the contrary, grace and mercy are the cause of the fear of God; which is a blessing of the covenant of grace, and one of the first things which appear in conversion; but this properly describes the persons who openly and manifestly share in the grace or mercy of God, and to whom he manifests it yet more and more; nor have any reason to believe they are the objects of it, until the true fear of God is wrought in their hearts; and, besides, this character may be given to show that the mercy and grace of God are not limited to the Israelites only, but belong to such of all nations that fear the Lord. And his righteousness unto children's children; not the essential righteousness of God, but rather his faithfulness in the performance of his promises, which he will not suffer to fail: the justifying righteousness of Christ is here meant; which is an everlasting one, and is unto and upon all them that believe, in all successive generations; which is meant by the phrase of "children's children", even the spiritual seed of Christ, the seed of the church, the seed of Israel; to all and each of which, in every age, the word of God comes, and his promises are fulfilled; and who are justified by and glory in Christ, their righteousness; and who are further described in the next verse, which shows that not the carnal seed of them that fear the Lord are meant.
Psalms 103:15
Bless the LORD, O My Soul
14For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust. 15As for man, his days are like grass— he blooms like a flower of the field; 16when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
A Liar and a Coward
By Paul Washer3.8K45:01Personal TestimonyPSA 103:15In this sermon, the speaker shares personal experiences and reflections on the impact of hard work and the loss of his father. He recalls struggling academically but credits his father's emphasis on work for his eventual success in college. The speaker also recounts a traumatic event where he witnessed someone dying of a heart attack, which led to a period of rebellion and destructive behavior. However, he emphasizes that his father's death did not make him a victim, but rather gave him the opportunity to indulge in his sinful desires. The sermon concludes with a story of a young man who approaches the speaker, expressing fear of both him and God, highlighting the need for repentance and surrender to God's authority.
Paul Washers Story
By Paul Washer2.6K15:50TestimonyPSA 103:15In this sermon, the preacher shares his personal journey of how he came to be a Christian and a preacher. He talks about having dreams of preaching as a young boy and his reluctance to accept that calling. However, after a conversation with someone who delivered a message from God, he realized he needed to surrender his life to Jesus Christ. He also mentions the challenges he faced in his early days of preaching, including people rejecting his tracks and mocking him. Despite these difficulties, he acknowledges God's faithfulness in his life.
Take Up Your Cross - Part 1
By K.P. Yohannan2.4K25:58Cross BearingPSA 103:15In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the urgency and importance of spreading the word of God to the billions of people who have never heard of Jesus. The speaker shares a personal story of his wife's tears when he leaves for missionary work, highlighting the sacrifice and dedication required to fulfill the Great Commission. The speaker compares the current time to a war zone, urging believers to prioritize evangelism over worldly distractions. The sermon concludes with a reminder of Jesus' words in Matthew 24:14, emphasizing the need to preach the gospel to all nations before the end comes.
Our Present Fears
By David Wilkerson0Overcoming FearEternal PerspectivePSA 103:15ISA 41:10MAT 6:34JHN 14:27ROM 8:182CO 4:17PHP 4:6HEB 9:27JAS 4:141PE 5:7David Wilkerson addresses the fears that many Christians face in a world filled with violence and uncertainty, emphasizing that despite the chaos, believers can find peace in God's promises. He reassures that while present fears may seem overwhelming, they are fleeting compared to the eternal life that awaits us. Wilkerson encourages Christians to focus on the good news of salvation and the assurance of God's presence, reminding them that their trials are temporary and that they will soon realize their insignificance in light of eternity. He highlights the importance of faith and the hope of being in the presence of the Lord, urging believers to rejoice in their eternal reality.
The Flowers That Never Fade
By John Henry Jowett0PSA 103:151CO 2:161CO 9:25PHP 4:81PE 1:4John Henry Jowett emphasizes the eternal nature of God's inheritance compared to temporary possessions on earth, using the example of taking the landscape of Arran with him wherever he goes. He contrasts the fading praise of men with the enduring praise of God, which grows more beautiful with time and is a source of comfort even in death. Jowett encourages wearing the 'garland of God's praise' by cultivating a mindset aligned with Christ's.
Smoking Spiritualized
By Ralph Erskine0PSA 103:15PSA 141:2ECC 12:7ISA 64:1JAS 4:14Ralph Erskine delivers a powerful sermon using the metaphor of smoking tobacco to reflect on the transient nature of life, the vanity of worldly pursuits, the reminder of sin and mortality, and the ultimate return to dust. He encourages the congregation to contemplate on their spiritual state and the need for divine inspiration to ignite their hearts. Through tobacco smoking, Erskine draws parallels to the deeper spiritual truths of life, faith, and the promises of God.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
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 his place knoweth him no more," is taken from Job 7:10, cf. ibid. Job 8:18; Job 20:9. In the midst of this plant-like, frail destiny, there is, however, one strong ground of comfort. There is an everlasting power, which raises all those who link themselves with it above the transitoriness involved in nature's laws, and makes them eternal like itself. This power is the mercy of God, which spans itself above (על) all those who fear Him like an eternal heaven. This is God's righteousness, which rewards faithful adherence to His covenant and conscientious fulfilment of His precepts in accordance with the order of redemption, and shows itself even to (ל) children's children, according to Exo 20:6; Exo 34:7; Deu 7:9 : on into a thousand generations, i.e., into infinity.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
So short and frail is life that a breath may destroy it. it is gone--literally, "it is not." know it no more--no more recognize him (Psa 90:6; Isa 40:6-8).
John Gill Bible Commentary
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him,.... In opposition to the frailty of man, the stability and duration of the mercy of God is observed. This reaches from one eternity to another; it is from everlasting in the heart of God: it appeared in the choice of the vessels of mercy; in the covenant of grace, which is founded upon it, and filled with it; every blessing of which flows from it, and therefore are called the "sure mercies of David". And it appears in time in the regeneration of God's elect, which is according to his abundant mercy; in the forgiveness of their sins, which is according to the multitude of his tender mercies; and in their whole salvation, which is by that, and not by works of righteousness; and will endure for ever, for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ is unto eternal life. It reaches from the world past to the world to come, as the Targum; and it is so "upon them that fear" the Lord; not with a servile, but a filial fear; a fear of the Lord and his goodness; which only is consistent with the grace and mercy of God, and a sense of it: not that the fear of God is the cause of mercy or grace; but, on the contrary, grace and mercy are the cause of the fear of God; which is a blessing of the covenant of grace, and one of the first things which appear in conversion; but this properly describes the persons who openly and manifestly share in the grace or mercy of God, and to whom he manifests it yet more and more; nor have any reason to believe they are the objects of it, until the true fear of God is wrought in their hearts; and, besides, this character may be given to show that the mercy and grace of God are not limited to the Israelites only, but belong to such of all nations that fear the Lord. And his righteousness unto children's children; not the essential righteousness of God, but rather his faithfulness in the performance of his promises, which he will not suffer to fail: the justifying righteousness of Christ is here meant; which is an everlasting one, and is unto and upon all them that believe, in all successive generations; which is meant by the phrase of "children's children", even the spiritual seed of Christ, the seed of the church, the seed of Israel; to all and each of which, in every age, the word of God comes, and his promises are fulfilled; and who are justified by and glory in Christ, their righteousness; and who are further described in the next verse, which shows that not the carnal seed of them that fear the Lord are meant.