But a man dies and is laid low;
But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he.
This verse turns the comparison sharply back toward human finality.
1“Man, who is born of woman, 2Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; 3Do You open Your eyes to one like this? 4Who can bring out clean from unclean? 5Since his days are determined 6look away from him and let him rest, 7For there is hope for a tree: 8If its roots grow old in the ground 9at the scent of water it will bud 10But a man dies and is laid low; 11As water disappears from the sea 12so a man lies down 13If only You would hide me in Sheol 14When a man dies, will he live again? 15You will call, and I will answer; 16For then You would count my steps, 17My transgression would be sealed in a bag, 18But as a mountain erodes and crumbles 19as water wears away the stones 20You forever overpower him, and he passes on; 21If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; 22He feels only the pain of his own body