1 {A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.} Lord, *thou* hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, and thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from eternity to eternity thou art ùGod.
3 Thou makest [mortal] man to return to dust, and sayest, Return, children of men.
4 For a thousand years, in thy sight, are as yesterday when it is past, and [as] a watch in the night.
5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are [as] a sleep: in the morning they are like grass [that] groweth up:
6 In the morning it flourisheth and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down and withereth.
7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy fury are we troubled.
8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret [sins] in the light of thy countenance.
9 For all our days pass away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a [passing] thought.
10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if, by reason of strength, they be fourscore years, yet their pride is labour and vanity, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? and thy wrath according to the fear of thee?
12 So teach [us] to number our days, that we may acquire a wise heart.
13 Return, Jehovah: how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.
14 Satisfy us early with thy loving-kindness; that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad according to the days [wherein] thou hast afflicted us, according to the years [wherein] we have seen evil.
16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy majesty unto their sons.
17 And let the beauty of Jehovah our God be upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us: yea, the work of our hands, establish thou it.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 90
Commentary on Psalms 90 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 90
Ps 90:1-17. Contrasting man's frailty with God's eternity, the writer mourns over it as the punishment of sin, and prays for a return of the divine favor. A Prayer [mainly such] of Moses the man of God—(De 33:1; Jos 14:6); as such he wrote this (see on Ps 18:1, title, and Ps 36:1, title).
1. dwelling-place—home (compare Eze 11:16), as a refuge (De 33:27).
2. brought forth [and] formed—both express the idea of production by birth.
3. to destruction—literally, "even to dust" (Ge 3:19), which is partly quoted in the last clause.
4. Even were our days now a thousand years, as Adam's, our life would be but a moment in God's sight (2Pe 3:8).
a watch—or, third part of a night (compare Ex 14:24).
5, 6. Life is like grass, which, though changing under the influence of the night's dew, and flourishing in the morning, is soon cut down and withereth (Ps 103:15; 1Pe 1:24).
7, 8. For—A reason, this is the infliction of God's wrath.
troubled—literally, "confounded by terror" (Ps 2:5). Death is by sin (Ro 5:12). Though "secret," the light of God's countenance, as a candle, will bring sin to view (Pr 20:27; 1Co 4:5).
9. are passed—literally, "turn," as to depart (Jer 6:4).
spend—literally, "consume."
as a tale—literally, "a thought," or, "a sigh" (Eze 2:10).
10. Moses' life was an exception (De 34:7).
it is … cut off—or, "driven," as is said of the quails in using the same word (Nu 11:31). In view of this certain and speedy end, life is full of sorrow.
11. The whole verse may be read as a question implying the negative, "No one knows what Thy anger can do, and what Thy wrath is, estimated by a true piety."
12. This he prays we may know or understand, so as properly to number or appreciate the shortness of our days, that we may be wise.
13. (Compare Ps 13:2).
let it repent—a strong figure, as in Ex 32:12, imploring a change in His dealings.
14. early—promptly.
15. As have been our sorrows, so let our joys be great and long.
16. thy work—or, providential acts.
thy glory—(Ps 8:5; 45:3), the honor accruing from Thy work of mercy to us.
17. let the beauty—or sum of His gracious acts, in their harmony, be illustrated in us, and favor our enterprise.