For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Read Chapter 37
Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
3. "Be not envious because of evil-doers, neither be envious against the workers of iniquity" (ver. 1). "For they shall soon wither like the grass, and shall fade like the herbs of the meadow" (ver. 2). That which to thee seemeth long, is "soon" in the sight of God. Conform thou thyself to God; and it will be "soon" to thee. That which he here calls "grass," that we understand by the "herbs of the meadow." They are some worthless things, occupying the surface only of the ground, they have no depth of root. In the winter then they are green; but when the summer sun shall begin to scorch, they will wither away. For now it is the season of winter. Thy glory cloth not as yet appear. But if thy love hath but a deep root, like that of many trees during winter, the frost passes away, the summer (that is, the Day of Judgment) will come; then will the greenness of the grass wither away. Then will the glory of the trees appear. "For ye" (saith the Apostle) "are dead." even as trees seem to be in...
Wither. Hebrew, "be cut down. "(Calmet)
Fall. Hebrew, "wither. "(St. Jerome) (Haydock)
This admirably describes the transient glory of sinners, Isaias xl. 6., and James i. 10. (Calmet)
All life is short. (Worthington) (1 Peter i. 24.) (Menochius)
