For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Evildoers who provoke distress will soon perish, cut down like grass and withering like green plants. Those who seem to prosper for a time yet set themselves against the righteous will not last, but will soon wither like grass cut down and like green plants deprived of life. Joined to the verse before it, this is reason for the righteous not to be troubled, not to fret over those who do evil, and not to envy them.
Amid false accusations and hostility the promise brings reassurance and comfort. It meets in particular the taunts that triumph over the weakness of a faithful sick man. It assures that the apparent triumph of his enemies will not last and that their opposition will not prevail. In that assurance it strengthens faith to endure.
The same withering also marks the end of all that is devoted to worldly vanity. The mortal body, when made an idol, will be cut down like grass and wither like the green herb. Self-worship and worldly desire therefore end in corruption.
Evildoers who provoke distress will soon perish, cut down like grass and withering like green plants. Those who seem to prosper for a time yet set themselves against the righteous will not last, but will soon wither like grass cut down and like green plants deprived of life. Joined to the verse before it, this is reason for the righteous not to be troubled, not to fret over those who do evil, and not to envy them.
Amid false accusations and hostility the promise brings reassurance and comfort. It meets in particular the taunts that triumph over the weakness of a faithful sick man. It assures that the apparent triumph of his enemies will not last and that their opposition will not prevail. In that assurance it strengthens faith to endure.
The same withering also marks the end of all that is devoted to worldly vanity. The mortal body, when made an idol, will be cut down like grass and wither like the green herb. Self-worship and worldly desire therefore end in corruption.