Definition and Description:
Mown grass refers to grass that has been cut down, typically as part of agricultural or pastoral practices. In biblical times, the cutting of grass was an essential activity for maintaining pastures and providing fodder for livestock. The imagery of mown grass is used in the Bible to convey themes of renewal, transience, and divine provision.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 72:6 : "May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth." This verse is part of a royal psalm attributed to Solomon, expressing a prayer for the king's reign to be as refreshing and life-giving as rain on freshly cut grass. The imagery suggests renewal and blessing, highlighting the king's role in bringing prosperity and justice to the land.

2. Psalm 90:5-6 : "You whisk them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning—In the morning it springs up new, but by evening it fades and withers." Here, the brevity of human life is compared to grass that flourishes in the morning but is cut down and withers by evening. This passage underscores the transient nature of human existence in contrast to God's eternal nature.

3. Isaiah 40:6-8 : "A voice says, 'Cry out.' And I asked, 'What should I cry out?' 'All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.'" This passage uses the metaphor of grass to emphasize the fleeting nature of human life and the enduring truth of God's word. The cutting and withering of grass serve as a reminder of human mortality and the constancy of divine promises.

Theological Significance:
The imagery of mown grass in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the impermanence of human life and the need for reliance on God's eternal word. It reflects the natural cycle of life and death, reminding believers of the importance of humility and dependence on divine grace. The renewal associated with rain on mown grass also symbolizes hope and restoration, pointing to God's provision and care for His creation.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient Israel, agriculture was a central part of daily life, and the cutting of grass for hay or fodder was a common practice. The seasonal rains were crucial for the growth of grass and crops, making the imagery of rain on mown grass particularly resonant for an agrarian society. This context helps to illuminate the biblical use of mown grass as a symbol of both the fragility and the sustenance of life.

Practical Application:
For believers, the metaphor of mown grass can serve as a reminder to focus on the eternal rather than the temporal. It encourages a perspective that values spiritual growth and the enduring truths of Scripture over the fleeting concerns of earthly life. The imagery also calls Christians to trust in God's provision and to seek His renewal in times of spiritual dryness or hardship.Mown Grass

MOWING; MOWN GRASS

mo'-ing, (gez, "a shearing," "cut grass"): In Psalm 72:6 the good king's rule is said to be "like rain upon the mown grass," to start the new growth (compare 2 Samuel 23:4 Hosea 6:3). "The king's mowings" (Amos 7:1) were the portion of the spring herbage taken as tribute by the kings of Israel to feed their horses (compare 1 Samuel 8:15;; 18:5). "After the king's mowings" would denote the time when everybody else might turn to reap their greenstuffs (BTP, II, 109). The term "mower" (qatsar, "to dock off," "shorten") in Psalm 129:7 the King James Version is rendered "reaper" in the Revised Version (British and American), and in James 5:4 the Revised Version (British and American) has "mow" for amao (the King James Version "reap").

See HARVEST; REAPING.

M. O. Evans

1488. gez -- a shearing, mowing
... fleece, mowing, mown grass. From gazaz; a fleece (as shorn); also mown grass --
fleece, mowing, mown grass. see HEBREW gazaz. 1487, 1488. gez. 1489 . ...
/hebrew/1488.htm - 6k

The Royal Jubilee
... The true king was to be as the sunshine that vitalises and gladdens. 'He shall come
down like rain upon the mown grass, and as showers that water the earth.'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the royal jubilee.htm

Solomon
... And Thy poor with judgment. . . . He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass:
As showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 1 solomon.htm

Psalm 72
... do last, through ages all. ^6Like rain on mown grass he shall drop,. or
show'rs on earth that fall. ^7The just shall flourish in his days,. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 72.htm

The Angel of Death
... A lark sprang out of the wet, wind-mown grass of a meadow and shot up, up till it
was lost in radiance and only a few of its exquisite notes filtered down to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xli the angel of.htm

Growing up into Christ
... He shall be as "the dew unto Israel." "He shall come down like rain upon the mown
grass." Hosea 14:5; Psalm 72:6. He is the living water, "the Bread of God . . ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 8 growing up into.htm

Light at Evening Time
... in the thing whereto I have sent it." We find him speaking concerning the coming
of Christ, "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass, as showers that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/light at evening time.htm

Editor's Preface.
... The Spirit had descended upon it anew, as showers upon the mown grass; and it had
sprung up afresh, sweeter than before, for the pasture of flocks. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/editors preface.htm

2 Samuel xxiii. 1-7.
... and righteousness.) The passage in Psalm 72:6 is parallel, where Solomon says of
his Antitype, "He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass, as showers ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/2 samuel xxiii 1-7.htm

Savior, Sprinkle Many Nations
... Human hearts in thee would rest. Thirsting as for dews of even,. As the new-mown
grass for rain,. Thee they seek as God of heaven,. Thee as Man for sinners slain ...
/.../missions 478 savior sprinkle many.htm

November 4 Evening
... little hills, by righteousness. He shall come down like rain upon the mown
grass; as showers that water the earth. In his days shall ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/november 4 evening.htm

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