He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

PSALMS 72:6KJV
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Psalms 72:6 (KJV)

What does Psalms 72:6 mean?

Psalms 72:6 uses the image of rain falling on freshly cut grass and showers watering the earth to describe someone’s coming as gentle, refreshing, and life-giving. The verse suggests that this arrival brings blessing and renewal, much like rain revives the land.

In context, Psalms 72 is a prayer or song by Solomon (or about Solomon) asking God to bless the king and his reign. The verse uses everyday images from farming life to picture the positive impact of a good and just ruler, whose influence is as welcome and nourishing as rain after a harvest.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 72:6

  • "down" (יָרַד, yarad): This word means to descend or come down, emphasizing the gentle movement of rain from above, not something forced or harsh.
  • "rain" (מָטָר, matar): This is the common word for rain, often seen as a sign of God’s favor and provision in the Hebrew Bible, especially in an agricultural society.
  • "mown" (גֵּז, gez): This word refers to grass that has been cut, highlighting the vulnerability and need for renewal after harvest.
  • "showers" (רְבִיבִים, revivim): This word means heavy rain or abundant showers, suggesting not just a little moisture but a generous, soaking rain.
  • "water" (זָלַף, zalaf): This word means to trickle or drip, painting a picture of gentle, steady watering rather than a violent storm.
  • "earth" (אֶרֶץ, erets): This is the general word for land or earth, reminding the reader that the blessing is broad and widespread.

Why Psalms 72:6 matters

  • Psalms 72:6 clears up any idea that the king’s rule is harsh or oppressive; instead, the verse stresses gentleness and refreshment, using images familiar to anyone who worked the land.
  • The verse connects the king’s leadership to God’s natural provision, suggesting that a good ruler is as essential and welcome as rain in a dry climate.
  • This imagery sets the tone for the rest of the psalm, which continues to describe the ideal king’s reign as one marked by justice, abundance, and peace.

Where else these words appear

“mown” Hebrew H1488 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 18:4 The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.
  • Job 31:20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
  • Amos 7:1 Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king's mowings.

“showers” Hebrew H7241 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
  • Psalms 65:10 Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.
  • Jeremiah 14:22 Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.

“rain” Hebrew H4306 · used in 36 verses

  • Exodus 9:33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
  • 2 Samuel 23:4 And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.
  • Job 37:6 For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.