Psalms Chapter 90 — God's Eternity and Human Mortality
Psalm 90 contrasts the eternal nature of God with the brief and fragile existence of humanity, concluding with a prayer for wisdom and divine blessing.
1Lord,†The word translated “Lord” is “Adonai.” you have been our dwelling place for all generations.
2Before the mountains were born,
3You turn man to destruction, saying,
4For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past,
5You sweep them away as they sleep.
6In the morning it sprouts and springs up.
7For we are consumed in your anger.
8You have set our iniquities before you,
9For all our days have passed away in your wrath.
10The days of our years are seventy,
11Who knows the power of your anger,
12So teach us to count our days,
13Relent, LORD!‡When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name (Hebrew “יהוה”, usually pronounced Yahweh).
14Satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness,
15Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
16Let your work appear to your servants,
17Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Psalms 90:2
“Before the mountains were born, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.”
This verse establishes the foundational theme of God's eternal nature existing before creation.
Psalms 90:4
“For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past, like a watch in the night.”
It provides a profound perspective on how divine time differs from the human experience of time.
Psalms 90:12
“So teach us to count our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
This is the central application of the psalm, requesting wisdom in light of life's brevity.
Chapter Summary
Psalm 90 begins by acknowledging God as the eternal dwelling place for all generations, existing long before the mountains or the earth were formed. The text portrays God's perspective on time as vastly different from humanity's, noting that a thousand years are like a single day in His sight. In contrast, human life is described as fleeting, compared to grass that sprouts in the morning and withers by evening. The psalmist reflects on the reality of human iniquity and the brevity of a lifespan, which is often seventy or eighty years. This observation leads to a central request: for God to teach His people to number their days so they might gain a heart of wisdom. The chapter concludes with a series of petitions for God's mercy, asking Him to satisfy His servants with loving kindness and to establish the work of their hands through His favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
The psalm states that the typical length of human life is seventy years, or perhaps eighty years for those with more strength. It uses this figure to highlight how quickly life passes compared to God's eternity.
To count or number one's days means to live with an awareness of the limited time one has on earth. The psalmist suggests that this perspective helps a person develop wisdom and focus on what is truly important.
It describes God as being outside the constraints of time, existing from 'everlasting to everlasting.' It notes that a thousand years to God is as brief as a single day or a short watch during the night.
Study Note
Psalm 90 is unique within the Psalter as it is the only psalm traditionally attributed to Moses, the man of God.
Related Chapters
Psalms 102
This psalm also reflects on the contrast between human frailty and the enduring nature of God.
2 Peter 3
This New Testament chapter echoes the concept that a thousand years are as a day to the Lord.
Job 14
Like Psalm 90, this chapter contains reflections on the short and troubled nature of human life.
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