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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><title>Psalm 90 Pulpit Commentary</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/5001com.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 4800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 4800px)" href="/4801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1550px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1550px)" href="/1551.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1250px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1250px)" href="/1251.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 1050px), only screen and (max-device-width: 1050px)" href="/1051.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 900px), only screen and (max-device-width: 900px)" href="/901.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 800px), only screen and (max-device-width: 800px)" href="/801.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-width: 575px), only screen and (max-device-width: 575px)" href="/501.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link media="handheld, only screen and (max-height: 450px), only screen and (max-device-height: 450px)" href="/h451.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/psalms/90.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcom/psalms/90-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="//biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">Pulpit Commentary</a> > Psalm 90</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../psalms/89.htm" title="Psalm 89">◄</a> Psalm 90 <a href="../psalms/91.htm" title="Psalm 91">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading">Pulpit Commentary</div><div class="chap"><div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-1.htm">Psalm 90:1</a></div><div class="verse"><<A Prayer of Moses the man of God.>> Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Lord, thou hast been our Dwelling place in all generations;</span> or, "our habitation" (see <a href="/psalms/91-9.htm">Psalm 91:9</a>); comp. <a href="/psalms/32-7.htm">Psalm 32:7</a>, "Thou art my Hiding place." For well nigh forty years Moses had had no fixed material dwelling place. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-2.htm">Psalm 90:2</a></div><div class="verse">Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou <i>art</i> God.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Before the mountains were brought forth</span> (comp. <a href="/proverbs/8-25.htm">Proverbs 8:25</a>). The "mountains" are mentioned as perhaps the grandest, and certainly among the oldest, of all the works of God. <span class="cmt_word">Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world;</span> literally, <span class="accented">or thou gavest birth to the earth and the world</span> (comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-18.htm">Deuteronomy 32:18</a>). <span class="cmt_word">Even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/93-2.htm">Psalm 93:2</a>; <a href="/proverbs/8-23.htm">Proverbs 8:23</a>; <a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>; <a href="/habakkuk/1-12.htm">Habakkuk 1:12</a>). </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Psalm 90:3</a></div><div class="verse">Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou turnest man to destruction;</span> or, "to dust" (comp. <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Genesis 3:19</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And sayest, Return, ye children of men;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "return once more, and replenish the earth." There may be an allusion to the destruction of mankind by the Deluge, and the repeopling of the earth by the descendants of Noah, as Dr. Kay supposes; or the meaning may be that God is continually bringing one generation of men to an end. and then setting up another, having the same control over human life that he has over inanimate nature (ver. 2). </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-4.htm">Psalm 90:4</a></div><div class="verse">For a thousand years in thy sight <i>are but</i> as yesterday when it is past, and <i>as</i> a watch in the night.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday.</span> Time has no relation to God; it does not exist for him. "One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (<a href="/2_peter/3-8.htm">2 Peter 3:8</a>) Therefore we must not judge his methods of working by our own. <span class="cmt_word">When it is past;</span> rather, <span class="accented">as it passes. <span class="cmt_word"></span>And as a watch in the night.</span> To the sleeper a night watch seems gone in a moment. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-5.htm">Psalm 90:5</a></div><div class="verse">Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are <i>as</i> a sleep: in the morning <i>they are</i> like grass <i>which</i> groweth up.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou carriest them away as with a flood.</span> This verse is to be connected with ver. 3, "Thou sweepest mankind away;" <span class="accented">i.e.</span> removest them from the earth, when it pleases thee. <span class="cmt_word">They are as a sleep.</span> Fantastic, vague, forgotten as soon as it is over. <span class="cmt_word">In the morning they are like grass which groweth up</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/37-2.htm">Psalm 37:2</a>; <a href="/psalms/72-16.htm">Psalm 72:16</a>; <a href="/psalms/92-7.htm">Psalm 92:7</a>; <a href="/psalms/103-15.htm">Psalm 103:15</a>; <a href="/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7</a>). </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-6.htm">Psalm 90:6</a></div><div class="verse">In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 6.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withered</span> (comp. <a href="/psalms/102-4.htm">Psalm 102:4, 11</a> 103:15; <a href="/isaiah/40-7.htm">Isaiah 40:7</a>; <a href="/james/1-10.htm">James 1:10, 11</a>). </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-7.htm">Psalm 90:7</a></div><div class="verse">For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For we are consumed by thine anger</span>. From the general reflections, and the general consideration of human weakness, which have hitherto occupied him, the psalmist proceeds to speak particularly of the weakness and sin of himself and his own people, which have brought upon them a painful visitation. God's anger is hot upon them, and has "consumed" them - not utterly, but so that they are greatly "troubled" and cast down. <span class="cmt_word">By thy wrath are we troubled.</span> The expressions used suit the time of the later wanderings in the wilderness, when the generation that had especially sinned was being gradually "consumed," that it might not eater the Holy land. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-8.htm">Psalm 90:8</a></div><div class="verse">Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret <i>sins</i> in the light of thy countenance.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou hast set our iniquities before thee.</span> Instead of hiding his face from their iniquities, turning away from them and overlooking them, God has placed them steadily "before him," in the full searching and scorching light of his own purity and holiness. And not only has he done this with the sins which they know of, and whereof their consciences are afraid; but he has set their secret sins also <span class="cmt_word">in the light of his countenance.</span> (On man's "secret sins," comp. <a href="/psalms/19-12.htm">Psalm 19:12</a>, and the comment <span class="accented">ad loc.</span>) </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-9.htm">Psalm 90:9</a></div><div class="verse">For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale <i>that is told</i>.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For all our days are passed away in thy wrath;</span> or, "under thy wrath" - "whilst thou art still angry with us" (comp. <a href="/deuteronomy/32-15.htm">Deuteronomy 32:15-25</a>). <span class="cmt_word">We spend our years</span> - rather, <span class="accented">bring our years to an end</span> (Hengstenberg, Kay, Revised Version) <span class="cmt_word">as a tale</span> that is told; rather, <span class="accented">as a reverie</span>, or "as a murmur." </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Psalm 90:10</a></div><div class="verse">The days of our years <i>are</i> threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength <i>they be</i> fourscore years, yet <i>is</i> their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The days of our years are three score years and ten.</span> This seems a low estimate for the time of Moses, since he himself died at the ago of a hundred and twenty (<a href="/deuteronomy/34-7.htm">Deuteronomy 34:7</a>), Aaron at the age of a hundred and twenty-three (<a href="/numbers/33-39.htm">Numbers 33:39</a>), and Miriam at an age which was even more advanced (<a href="/numbers/20-1.htm">Numbers 20:1</a>; comp. <a href="/exodus/2-4.htm">Exodus 2:4</a>). But these may have been exceptional cases, and we have certainly no sufficient data for determining what was the average length of human life in the later period of the wanderings. The suggestion has been made that it was probably even shorter than that here mentioned. <span class="cmt_word">And if by reason of strength they be four score years;</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "if, through exceptional strength in this or that individual, they occasionally mount up to four score years." <span class="cmt_word">Yet is their strength labour and sorrow;</span> rather, <span class="accented">yet is their pride then but let, our and vanity.</span> They may boast of their age; but what real advantage is it to them? After seventy, the years draw nigh when each man is forced to say, "I have no pleasure in them" (<a href="/ecclesiastes/12-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:1</a>). <span class="cmt_word">For it is soon cut off, and we fly away</span>. Moreover, even if we live to eighty, our life seems to us no more than a span, so soon does it pass away, and we take our departure. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-11.htm">Psalm 90:11</a></div><div class="verse">Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, <i>so is</i> thy wrath.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Who knoweth the power of thins anger?</span> Who can duly estimate the intensity of God's anger against such as have displeased him? <span class="cmt_word">Even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath</span>; rather, <span class="accented">or who can estimate thy fury as the fear of thee</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> the proper fear) <span class="accented">requires?</span> The verse is exegetical of ver. 9, and is intended to impress on man the terribleness of God's anger. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-12.htm">Psalm 90:12</a></div><div class="verse">So teach <i>us</i> to number our days, that we may apply <i>our</i> hearts unto wisdom.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 12-17.</span> - From complaint the psalmist, in conclusion, turns to prayer - prayer for his people rather than for himself. His petitions are, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> that God will enable his people to take to heart the lessons which the brevity of life should teach (ver. 12); <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> that he will cease from his anger, and relent concerning them (ver. 13); <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> that he will once more shower his mercies upon them, and cause their affliction to be swallowed up in gladness (vers. 14, 15); <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="note_emph">(4)</span> that he will show his glorious doings to them and to their children (ver. 16); <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="note_emph">(5)</span> that he will let his beauty rest upon them (ver. 17); and <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="note_emph">(6)</span> that he will bless their doings, and establish them (ver. 17). <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.</span> "Teach us," that is, "so to reflect on the brevity of life, that we may get to ourselves a heart of wisdom," or a heart that is wise and understanding. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-13.htm">Psalm 90:13</a></div><div class="verse">Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Return, O Lord, how long?</span> rather, <span class="accented">turn, O Lord</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "turn from thy anger - how long will it be ere thou turnest?" <span class="cmt_word">And let it repent thee concerning thy servants.</span> God "is not a man, that he should repent" (<a href="/numbers/23-19.htm">Numbers 23:19</a>); and yet from time to time "it repents him concerning his servants" (<a href="/deuteronomy/32-36.htm">Deuteronomy 32:36</a>; <a href="/psalms/135-14.htm">Psalm 135:14</a>). He relents, that is, from his fierce anger, allows himself to be appeased, and has compassion upon those who have provoked him. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-14.htm">Psalm 90:14</a></div><div class="verse">O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Oh satisfy us early with thy mercy</span>; literally, <span class="accented">satisfy us in the morning with thy mercy</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> "after a night of trouble, give us a bright morning of peace and rest." <span class="cmt_word">That we may rejoice and be glad all our days;</span> rather, <span class="accented">and we will rejoice and be glad, etc.</span> </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-15.htm">Psalm 90:15</a></div><div class="verse">Make us glad according to the days <i>wherein</i> thou hast afflicted us, <i>and</i> the years <i>wherein</i> we have seen evil.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us.</span> Proportion our time of joy to our time of sorrow: as the one has lasted many long years, so let the other. <span class="cmt_word">And the years wherein we have seen evil;</span> or, "suffered adversity." </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-16.htm">Psalm 90:16</a></div><div class="verse">Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Let thy work appear ante thy servants, end thy glory unto their children.</span> The "work" and the "glory" are the same thing - some vast exertion of the Divine power and majesty, which will result in great good to his people. If we accept the Mosaic authorship of the psalm, the establishment of Israel in the laud of Canaan may reasonably be taken as the "work" spoken of. </div> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/90-17.htm">Psalm 90:17</a></div><div class="verse">And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.</div><div class="comm"><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us</span> (comp. Psalm 45:24, "Thou art fairer than the children of men;" <a href="/psalms/27-4.htm">Psalm 27:4</a>, "To behold the beauty of the Lord;" <a href="/isaiah/33-17.htm">Isaiah 33:17</a>, "Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty"). The "beauty of God" is upon us when we see and realize the loveliness of his character. <span class="cmt_word">And establish thou the work of our hands</span> <span class="cmt_word">upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish</span> <span class="cmt_word">thou it.</span> The repetition adds nothing, except it be emphasis. God is asked, finally, to "establish the work" in which his servants are engaged - to bless it; that is, to advance it and prosper it. The nature of the "work" is not mentioned. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span> </div></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Pulpit Commentary, Electronic Database. 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