Redaction: According to Victor Ludlow, verse 12 contains two questions that Yahweh asks Israel (a third question is in verse 13). “Why do you fear mortal man? Have you forgotten your creator? Why fear your oppressors?” He then answers them (in reverse order): “You will be freed from your oppressors. I am the great creator. You are my people; I will teach and protect you.”
The King James Version translators may have introduced some confusion for those familiar with the New Testament by pairing “man” and “son of man.” “Son of man” is frequently applied to the Messiah, but that is not the context here. (See “Excursus: The Nephite Understanding of God,” following 1 Nephi 11.) Joseph Blenkinsopp, professor emeritus of biblical studies at the University of Notre Dame, renders this verse: “I, I myself am the one who comforts you; Why then fear mortals doomed to die, Who fare no better than grass?”
The phrase which the KJV renders as “son of man, who shall be made like unto grass,” Blenkinsopp notes, is literally “and (from) human beings grass are [sic] placed,” which he recognizes as “extremely elliptical.”
Despite its lack of clarity, “made like unto grass” invokes the mortal impermanence. Not only do human beings die, but the grass covers their graves and they are forgotten.
Scripture: In response to Israel’s supplication, Yahweh first assures them that they are not mistaken. He is indeed the mighty one who defeated the sea monster Rahab and opened a path through the water. He then, in effect, turns the question back to Israel: Yes, I am he, but who are you?
His first question is why Israel fears man. This question is a pointed one. Because Israel fears man, it has asked the “arm of the Lord” to “awake” and save them. By asking the question, Yahweh hints at its shortsightedness. Man will die. Why, then, should man be feared? By implication, Yahweh points out that Israel should fear him, who will not die.