Book of Psalms - Chapter 90 - Verse 5

Psalm 90:5-6 uses vivid imagery to convey a powerful message about the brevity and fragility of human life. The comparison of being carried away as with a flood symbolizes the sudden and overwhelming nature of life's challenges and trials. Just as a flood can sweep everything away in an instant, so too can life's difficulties leave us feeling lost and helpless. The mention of being as a sleep highlights the fleeting and temporary nature of our existence. Like a dream that fades upon waking, our lives can feel transient and insubstantial. The verse goes on to compare human life to grass that grows up in the morning, emphasizing its impermanence and transience. Just as grass quickly withers and fades, so too does our time on this earth pass by swiftly. This verse serves as a poignant reminder of the ephemeral nature of human life and the importance of making the most of our time here.

The theological interpretation of this verse suggests that it points to the fleeting nature of human life in comparison to the eternal nature of God. The image of being carried away as with a flood emphasizes the speed and unpredictability of how our lives can change in an instant. The comparison of people to grass growing up in the morning, only to wither away by evening, highlights the transience of our existence on earth. This verse serves as a reminder of our mortality and the need to prioritize our relationship with God, who is everlasting and unchanging. Through word studies, we can delve deeper into the meanings behind phrases like "carriest them away" and "as a sleep," which can shed light on the fragility of life and the importance of living with a sense of urgency to seek God's guidance and grace.