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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 90:13 Return, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on Your servants.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/90-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/19_Psa_090_013.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 90:13 - I Will Sing of His Love Forever" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Return, O LORD! How long will it be? 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How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/90.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />O LORD, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/90.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/90.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Return, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on Your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/90.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/90.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Return, O LORD! How long? And have compassion on Your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/90.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do return, LORD; how long <i>will it be?</i> And be sorry for Your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/90.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Do return, O LORD; how long will it be? And be sorry for Your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/90.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Do return, O LORD; how long <i>will it be?</i> And be sorry for Thy servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/90.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Return, O Yahweh; how long <i>will it be</i>? And be sorry for Your slaves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/90.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Turn, O LORD [from Your fierce anger]; how long will it be? Be compassionate toward Your servants—revoke Your sentence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/90.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />LORD—how long? Turn and have compassion on your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/90.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br /> LORD—how long? Turn and have compassion on Your servants. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/90.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Return, O Jehovah; how long? And let it repent thee concerning thy servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/90.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Help us, LORD! Don't wait! Pity your servants. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/90.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Return, O LORD; how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/90.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Return, LORD! How long...? Change your plans about [us,] your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/90.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How much longer will your anger last? Have pity, O LORD, on your servants! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/90.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Please return, LORD! When will it be? Comfort your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/90.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Return, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on Your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/90.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Turn back toward us, O LORD! How long must this suffering last? Have pity on your servants! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/90.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Relent, LORD. How long? Have compassion on your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/90.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Return, O LORD, how long? and repent thou concerning thy servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/90.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Relent, Yahweh! How long? Have compassion on your servants! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/90.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Turn back, O YHWH, until when? And regret concerning Your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/90.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Turn back, O Jehovah, till when? And repent concerning Thy servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/90.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Turn back, O Jehovah, how long? and have pity upon thy servants.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/90.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Return, O Lord, how long? and be entreated in favour of thy servants. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/90.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 89:13>Return, O Lord, how long? And may you be persuaded on behalf of your servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/90.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Relent, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/90.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Turn, O LORD! How long? Have compassion on your servants!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/90.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Return, O LORD. How long? Wouldst thou not comfort thy servants?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/90.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Return, LORD JEHOVAH. How long will you not comfort your Servants?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/90.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Return, O LORD; how long? And let it repent Thee concerning Thy servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/90.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Return, O Lord, how long? and be intreated concerning thy servants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/90-13.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=11482" 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">12</span>So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šū·ḇāh (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">Return,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">O LORD!</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">How long will it be?</a> <a href="/hebrew/4970.htm" title="4970: mā·ṯāy (Interrog) -- When?. From an unused root meaning to extend; properly, extent; but used only adverbially, when."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5162.htm" title="5162: wə·hin·nā·ḥêm (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-Imp-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sigh, i.e. Breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. to pity, console or rue; or to avenge.">Have compassion</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: ‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">Your servants.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.…<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="/exodus/32-12.htm">Exodus 32:12</a></span><br />Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-36.htm">Deuteronomy 32:36</a></span><br />For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on His servants when He sees that their strength is gone and no one remains, slave or free.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/64-9.htm">Isaiah 64:9</a></span><br />Do not be angry, O LORD, beyond measure; do not remember our iniquity forever. Oh, look upon us, we pray; we are all Your people!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17</a></span><br />Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the portico and the altar, saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-18.htm">Jeremiah 31:18-20</a></span><br />I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God. / After I returned, I repented; and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh in grief. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.’ / Is not Ephraim a precious son to Me, a delightful child? Though I often speak against him, I still remember him. Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/5-21.htm">Lamentations 5:21</a></span><br />Restore us to Yourself, O LORD, so we may return; renew our days as of old,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/14-1.htm">Hosea 14:1-2</a></span><br />Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Zechariah 1:3</a></span><br />So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/6-25.htm">2 Chronicles 6:25</a></span><br />then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. May You restore them to the land You gave to them and their fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/1-9.htm">Nehemiah 1:9</a></span><br />but if you return to Me and keep and practice My commandments, then even if your exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-20.htm">Luke 15:20-24</a></span><br />So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. / The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ / But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-8.htm">James 4:8</a></span><br />Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a></span><br />Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-23.htm">Romans 11:23</a></span><br />And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent you concerning your servants.</p><p class="hdg">return</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/6-4.htm">Psalm 6:4</a></b></br> Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/80-14.htm">Psalm 80:14</a></b></br> Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/12-15.htm">Jeremiah 12:15</a></b></br> And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land.</p><p class="hdg">how</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/89-46.htm">Psalm 89:46</a></b></br> How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?</p><p class="hdg">let it</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/106-45.htm">Psalm 106:45</a></b></br> And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/135-14.htm">Psalm 135:14</a></b></br> For the LORD will judge his people, and he will repent himself concerning his servants.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/32-14.htm">Exodus 32:14</a></b></br> And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/89-34.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/psalms/86-15.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/psalms/86-16.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/psalms/89-47.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/psalms/7-12.htm">Relent</a> <a href="/psalms/7-12.htm">Repent</a> <a href="/psalms/89-50.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/psalms/38-18.htm">Sorry</a> <a href="/psalms/90-3.htm">Turn</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/102-26.htm">Changed</a> <a href="/psalms/102-13.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/psalms/102-13.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/psalms/106-43.htm">Purpose</a> <a href="/isaiah/57-6.htm">Relent</a> <a href="/psalms/110-4.htm">Repent</a> <a href="/psalms/90-16.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/isaiah/51-19.htm">Sorry</a> <a href="/psalms/101-3.htm">Turn</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>Return, O LORD!</b><br>This plea for the Lord's return reflects a deep yearning for God's presence and intervention. In the context of <a href="/psalms/90.htm">Psalm 90</a>, attributed to Moses, it echoes the Israelites' experiences in the wilderness, where they often sought God's guidance and deliverance. The call for God's return can be seen as a desire for restoration and renewal, reminiscent of the Israelites' longing for the Promised Land. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of God's return, as seen in prophecies about the Messiah and the Second Coming of Christ (e.g., <a href="/revelation/22-20.htm">Revelation 22:20</a>).<p><b>How long will it be?</b><br>This question expresses a sense of urgency and impatience, common in the laments found throughout the Psalms. It reflects the human experience of waiting for God's timing, which often seems delayed from a human perspective. This phrase resonates with other biblical passages where God's people cry out for deliverance, such as in <a href="/habakkuk/1-2.htm">Habakkuk 1:2</a> and <a href="/revelation/6-10.htm">Revelation 6:10</a>. It underscores the tension between divine timing and human expectation, encouraging believers to trust in God's perfect plan.<p><b>Have compassion on Your servants.</b><br>The request for compassion highlights God's character as merciful and loving. In the Old Testament, God's compassion is frequently demonstrated in His dealings with Israel, despite their repeated disobedience (e.g., <a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6-7</a>). This plea acknowledges the relationship between God and His people, where they are His servants, dependent on His grace and mercy. It also foreshadows the ultimate expression of God's compassion through Jesus Christ, who embodies God's mercy and offers salvation to all who believe (e.g., <a href="/matthew/9-36.htm">Matthew 9:36</a>, <a href="/ephesians/2-4.htm">Ephesians 2:4-5</a>).<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.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a></b><br>The original audience of the Psalm, they were often in need of God's compassion and deliverance throughout their history, especially during their wilderness wanderings.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting for much of Moses' leadership, representing a time of trial, testing, and reliance on God's provision.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_cry_for_divine_intervention.htm">The Cry for Divine Intervention</a></b><br>Believers are encouraged to call upon the Lord in times of distress, trusting in His ability to intervene and change circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_timing.htm">Understanding God's Timing</a></b><br>The question "How long?" reflects a common human struggle with waiting on God's timing. It teaches patience and trust in God's perfect plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_compassionate_nature.htm">God's Compassionate Nature</a></b><br>The plea for compassion highlights God's character as merciful and loving. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God is compassionate towards His servants.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intercessory_prayer.htm">Intercessory Prayer</a></b><br>Like Moses, believers are called to intercede for others, asking God to show mercy and compassion to those in need.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_return.htm">Hope in God's Return</a></b><br>The request for God to "return" points to the hope of His presence and action in our lives, encouraging believers to live with expectation and readiness for God's intervention.<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/why_does_psalm_102_lack_historical_context.htm">Why does Psalm 102 speak of Zion's restoration without any clear historical fulfillment during the time it was written?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_work_effectively_daily.htm">What does 'from everlasting to everlasting' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_god's_mercy_universal.htm">Is God merciful to all? (Psalm 145:9 vs. Isaiah 13:9)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_occurs_when_a_son_returns_home.htm">What happens when a wayward son returns home?</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>(13) <span class= "bld">Return.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">turn, </span>either from anger (<a href="/exodus/32-12.htm" title="Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from your fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against your people.">Exodus 32:12</a>), or merely as in <a href="/psalms/6-4.htm" title="Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for your mercies' sake.">Psalm 6:4</a>, "turn to thy servant."<p>Plainly we have here the experience of some particular epoch, and a prayer for Israel. From his meditation on the shortness of human existence the poet does not pass to a prayer for a prolonged life for himself, like Hezekiah, but for some intervention in relief of the suffering community of which he forms. part.<p><span class= "bld">How long?</span>--See Note, <a href="/psalms/74-9.htm" title="We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knows how long.">Psalm 74:9</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Let it repent thee.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">have pity on. </span>(See <a href="/deuteronomy/32-36.htm" title="For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he sees that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.">Deuteronomy 32:36</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/90.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/90-13.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">Return,</span><br /><span class="heb">שׁוּבָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(šū·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">O LORD!</span><br /><span class="heb">יְ֭הוָה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">How long will it be?</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Have compassion</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝הִנָּחֵ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hin·nā·ḥêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5162.htm">Strong's 5162: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Your servants.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲבָדֶֽיךָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/90-13.htm">Psalm 90:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/90-13.htm">Psalm 90:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/90-13.htm">Psalm 90:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/90-13.htm">Psalm 90:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/90-13.htm">Psalm 90:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/90-13.htm">Psalm 90:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/90-13.htm">Psalm 90:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/90-13.htm">Psalm 90:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/90-13.htm">Psalm 90:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/90-13.htm">Psalm 90:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/90-13.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 90:13 Relent Yahweh! 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