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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 90:4 For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/90-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/19_Psa_090_004.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 90:4 - I Will Sing of His Love Forever" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/90-3.htm" title="Psalm 90:3">◄</a> Psalm 90:4 <a href="/psalms/90-5.htm" title="Psalm 90:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/90.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/90.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/90.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/90.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/90.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/90.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/90.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For a thousand years in Your sight <i>Are</i> like yesterday when it is past, And <i>like</i> a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/90.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or <i>like</i> a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/90.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or as a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/90.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For a thousand years in Thy sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or <i>as</i> a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/90.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it passes by, Or <i>as</i> a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/90.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, Or as a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/90.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For in your sight a thousand years are like yesterday that passes by, like a few hours of the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/90.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For in Your sight a thousand years are like yesterday that passes by, like a few hours of the night. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/90.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For a thousand years in thy sight Are but as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/90.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />but a thousand years mean nothing to you! They are merely a day gone by or a few hours in the night. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/90.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/90.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Indeed, in your sight a thousand years are like a single day, like yesterday-already past- like an hour in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/90.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A thousand years to you are like one day; they are like yesterday, already gone, like a short hour in the night. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/90.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />One thousand years in your sight are but a single day that passes by, just like a night watch.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/90.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/90.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Yes, in your eyes a thousand years are like yesterday that quickly passes, or like one of the divisions of the nighttime. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/90.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past, like a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/90.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/90.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past, like a watch in the night. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/90.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For one thousand years in Your eyes [are] as yesterday, "" For it passes on, indeed, [as] a watch by night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/90.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For a thousand years in Thine eyes are as yesterday, For it passeth on, yea, a watch by night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/90.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For a thousand years in thine eyes as the day of yesterday, for it shall pass away, and watches in the night.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/90.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For a thousand years in thy sight are as yesterday, which is past. And as a watch in the night, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/90.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 89:4>For a thousand years before your eyes are like the days of yesterday, which have passed by, and they are like a watch of the night,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/90.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A thousand years in your eyes are merely a day gone by, Before a watch passes in the night, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/90.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/90.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/90.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because a thousand years in your eyes is like a day that is finished when it is passed and like a watch of the night.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/90.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For a thousand years in Thy sight Are but as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/90.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For a thousand years in thy sight are as the yesterday which is past, and as a watch in the night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/90-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=11421" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/90.htm">I Will Sing of His Love Forever</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.” <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-cdc:: 2ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">in Your sight</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’e·lep̄ (Number-msc) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand.">a thousand</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nîm (N-fp) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: kə·yō·wm (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">are but</a> <a href="/hebrew/865.htm" title="865: ’eṯ·mō·wl (Adv) -- Heretofore, definitely yesterday. Or tithmowl; or methmuwl; probably from 'eth or 'eth and muwl; heretofore; definitely yesterday.">a day</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: ya·‘ă·ḇōr (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">passes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/821.htm" title="821: wə·’aš·mū·rāh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- A watch. Or bashmuwrah; or -ashmoreth; from shamar; a night watch.">or a watch</a> <a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: ḇal·lā·yə·lāh (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity.">of the night.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>You whisk them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning—…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-8.htm">2 Peter 3:8</a></span><br />Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/36-26.htm">Job 36:26</a></span><br />Indeed, God is great—beyond our knowledge; the number of His years is unsearchable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm">Isaiah 40:28</a></span><br />Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-12.htm">Psalm 102:12</a></span><br />But You, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures to all generations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/102-24.htm">Psalm 102:24-27</a></span><br />I say: “O my God, do not take me in the midst of my days! Your years go on through all generations. / In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:11</a></span><br />He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/57-15.htm">Isaiah 57:15</a></span><br />For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Psalm 39:5</a></span><br />You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-15.htm">Psalm 103:15-16</a></span><br />As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a></span><br />You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-24.htm">1 Peter 1:24</a></span><br />For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/10-5.htm">Job 10:5</a></span><br />Are Your days like those of a mortal, or Your years like those of a man,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/7-6.htm">Job 7:6-7</a></span><br />My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; they come to an end without hope. / Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/89-47.htm">Psalm 89:47</a></span><br />Remember the briefness of my lifespan! For what futility You have created all men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/144-4.htm">Psalm 144:4</a></span><br />Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.</p><p class="hdg">for</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_peter/3-8.htm">2 Peter 3:8</a></b></br> But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day <i>is</i> with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.</p><p class="hdg">is past.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/14-25.htm">Matthew 14:25</a></b></br> And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/24-43.htm">Matthew 24:43</a></b></br> But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/12-38.htm">Luke 12:38</a></b></br> And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find <i>them</i> so, blessed are those servants.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/89-46.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/88-1.htm">Night</a> <a href="/psalms/78-39.htm">Passes</a> <a href="/psalms/78-39.htm">Passeth</a> <a href="/psalms/77-11.htm">Past</a> <a href="/psalms/79-10.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/psalms/84-10.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/psalms/80-14.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/job/8-9.htm">Yesterday</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/91-8.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/psalms/91-5.htm">Night</a> <a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">Passes</a> <a href="/psalms/103-16.htm">Passeth</a> <a href="/psalms/93-2.htm">Past</a> <a href="/psalms/98-2.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/psalms/91-7.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/psalms/102-7.htm">Watch</a> <a href="/micah/2-8.htm">Yesterday</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 90</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/90-1.htm">Moses, setting forth God's providence</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Complains of human fragility</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/90-7.htm">Divine chastisement</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/90-10.htm">and brevity of life</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/90-12.htm">He prays for the knowledge and sensible experience of God's good providence.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/90.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/90.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For in Your sight</b><br>This phrase emphasizes God's eternal perspective, contrasting with human limitations. It reflects the biblical theme of God's omniscience and omnipresence, as seen in passages like <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>, where God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours. It underscores the divine attribute of seeing all of time simultaneously, a concept that is beyond human comprehension.<p><b>a thousand years</b><br>The mention of "a thousand years" is symbolic, representing a long period of time. This is not meant to be a literal measurement but rather a way to express God's timeless nature. This concept is echoed in <a href="/2_peter/3-8.htm">2 Peter 3:8</a>, which also states that with the Lord, a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. It highlights the difference between God's eternal nature and human temporality.<p><b>are but a day that passes</b><br>This phrase illustrates the fleeting nature of time from God's perspective. While humans experience time sequentially, God exists outside of time. The imagery of a day passing suggests the transience of human life, a theme prevalent in biblical literature, such as in <a href="/james/4-14.htm">James 4:14</a>, which compares life to a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.<p><b>or a watch of the night</b><br>A "watch of the night" refers to a division of time used in ancient cultures, particularly in military contexts, where the night was divided into watches for guard duty. In biblical times, the night was typically divided into three or four watches. This phrase further emphasizes the brevity and insignificance of human time in comparison to God's eternal existence. It also connects to the theme of vigilance and readiness, as seen in Jesus' teachings in <a href="/mark/13-35.htm">Mark 13:35-37</a>, where He instructs His followers to be watchful and alert.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/90.htm">Psalm 90</a>, Moses is a central figure in the Old Testament, known for leading the Israelites out of Egypt and receiving the Ten Commandments from God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The eternal and sovereign Creator, whose perspective on time is vastly different from that of humans.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God during the time of Moses, often experiencing God's guidance and discipline.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness.htm">Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting for much of Moses' leadership, where the Israelites wandered for 40 years.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/watch_of_the_night.htm">Watch of the Night</a></b><br>A term used to describe a division of the night into periods for keeping guard, reflecting the ancient understanding of time.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_eternal_perspective.htm">God's Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>God's view of time is not limited by human constraints. Understanding this can help us trust in His perfect timing and plan for our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/human_frailty_and_dependence.htm">Human Frailty and Dependence</a></b><br>Recognizing our limited lifespan in contrast to God's eternity should lead us to humility and reliance on Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_obedience.htm">The Urgency of Obedience</a></b><br>Since our time is short compared to God's eternal nature, we should prioritize living in obedience to His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_promises.htm">Hope in God's Promises</a></b><br>God's timeless nature assures us that His promises are steadfast and will be fulfilled, even if we do not see them immediately.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perspective_on_suffering.htm">Perspective on Suffering</a></b><br>In times of trial, remembering that our struggles are temporary in the grand scope of eternity can provide comfort and perseverance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_90.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 90</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_psalm_90_4_conflict_with_science.htm">Does Psalm 90:4’s notion that “a thousand years…are like a day” conflict with scientific understanding of time and cosmic scales? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_time_like_in_heaven.htm">What does the Bible say about time in Heaven?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_2_peter_3_8-9_lessen_urgency.htm">2 Peter 3:8–9: Does the flexible view of time here undermine the urgency of the message? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_believers_view_jesus'_delayed_return.htm">1 Thessalonians 3:13: Paul mentions the coming of Jesus with all his saints — how do believers address this seemingly unfulfilled apocalyptic expectation after nearly two millennia?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/90.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">A thousand years.</span>--This verse, which, when Peter II. was written (see <span class= "ital">New Testament Commentary</span>), had already begun to receive an arithmetical treatment, and to be made the basis for Millennarian computations, merely contrasts the unchangeableness and eternity of the Divine existence and purpose with the vicissitudes incident to the brief life of man. To One who is from the infinite past to the infinite future, and Whose purpose runs through the ages, a thousand years are no more than a yesterday to man:<p><span class= "ital">"</span>And all our yesterdays have lighted fools<p>The way to dusty death;"<p>or even as a part of the night passed in sleep:<p>"A thousand years, with Thee they are no more<p>Than yesterday, which, ere it is, is spent.<p>Or, as a watch by night, that course doth keep,<p>And goes and comes, unwares to them that sleep."<p>FRANCIS BACON.<p>The exact rendering of the words translated in the Authorised Version, "when it passeth," is doubtful. The LXX. have, "which has passed;" and the Syriac supports this rendering. For the "night watches," see Note, <a href="/psalms/63-6.htm" title="When I remember you on my bed, and meditate on you in the night watches.">Psalm 63:6</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/90.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/90-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Your sight</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּֽעֵינֶ֗יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a thousand</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֪לֶף</span> <span class="translit">(’e·lep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thousand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁנִ֡ים</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> </span><span class="str2">A year</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are but</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּי֣וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(kə·yō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a day</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֭תְמוֹל</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ·mō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_865.htm">Strong's 865: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heretofore, definitely yesterday</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">passes,</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲבֹ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·ḇōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pass over, through, or by, pass on</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or a watch</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַשְׁמוּרָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’aš·mū·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_821.htm">Strong's 821: </a> </span><span class="str2">A night watch</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the night.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַלָּֽיְלָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḇal·lā·yə·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3915.htm">Strong's 3915: </a> </span><span class="str2">A twist, night, adversity</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/90-4.htm">Psalm 90:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/90-4.htm">Psalm 90:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/90-4.htm">Psalm 90:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/90-4.htm">Psalm 90:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/90-4.htm">Psalm 90:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/90-4.htm">Psalm 90:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/90-4.htm">Psalm 90:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/90-4.htm">Psalm 90:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/90-4.htm">Psalm 90:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/90-4.htm">Psalm 90:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/90-4.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 90:4 For a thousand years in your sight (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/90-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 90:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 90:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/90-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 90:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 90:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>