15 Mortal man! as grass 'are' his days, As a flower of the field so he flourisheth; 16 For a wind hath passed over it, and it is not, And its place doth not discern it any more. 17 And the kindness of Jehovah 'Is' from age even unto age on those fearing Him, And His righteousness to sons' sons,
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 103:15-17
Commentary on Psalm 103:15-18
(Read Psalm 103:15-18)
How short is man's life, and uncertain! The flower of the garden is commonly more choice, and will last the longer, for being sheltered by the garden-wall, and the gardener's care; but the flower of the field, to which life is here compared, is not only withering in itself, but exposed to the cold blasts, and liable to be cropt and trod on by the beasts of the field. Such is man. God considers this, and pities him; let him consider it himself. God's mercy is better than life, for it will outlive it. His righteousness, the truth of his promise, shall be unto children's children, who tread in the footsteps of their forefathers' piety. Then shall mercy be preserved to them.