Bible Strands
Psalms 103:15
As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field;
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the reader, placing this observation immediately after stating that God knows humans are dust (Psalms 103:14) and immediately before describing how a flower vanishes when the wind passes (Psalms 103:16).
The words — The term אֱ֭נוֹשׁ ('E.no.osh) literally means humankind, while יָצִֽיץ (ya.Tzitz) denotes the action of flourishing or blooming.
The thread — The imagery of human life as grass and flowers of the field reappears in Isaiah 51:12, 1 Peter 1:24, and James 1:10 to mark mortal transience.
Why it lands — The text states that human existence is brief and fragile, requiring the reader to acknowledge mortality without relying on earthly permanence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 1:24 For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,
- James 1:10 But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field.
- Isaiah 51:12 “I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?
- Isaiah 28:1 Woe to the majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower of his glorious splendor, set on the summit above the fertile valley, the pride of those overcome by wine.
- Isaiah 40:6 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field.
- Job 14:1 “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble.
- Psalms 90:5 You sweep them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning—
- Isaiah 28:4 The fading flower of his beautiful splendor, set on the summit above the fertile valley, will be like a ripe fig before the summer harvest: Whoever sees it will take it in his hand and swallow it.
- Nahum 1:4 He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.