Bible Commentaries
Psalms 90

Introduction

Overview

Psalms 90:1, Moses, setting forth God’s providence; Psalms 90:3, complains of human fragility, Psalms 90:7, divine chastisements, Psalms 90:10, and brevity of life; Psalms 90:12, He prays for the knowledge and sensible experience of God’s good providence.

being a Psalm of Moses. This Psalm is supposed to have been composed by Moses, when all the generation of the Israelites who had offended God, were sentenced to fail in the wilderness, at the age of seventy or eighty years, except Moses, Caleb, and Joshua. Num. 13:1-14:45

Verse 1

the man: Exodus 33:14-19, Deuteronomy 33:1, 1 Kings 13:1, 1 Timothy 6:11

Lord: Psalms 71:3, Psalms 91:1, Psalms 91:9, Deuteronomy 33:27, Isaiah 8:14, Ezekiel 11:16, John 6:56, 1 John 4:16

all generations: Heb. generation and generation, Psalms 89:1, *marg.

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:4 - the generations Exodus 25:22 - between Leviticus 26:5 - dwell Joshua 14:6 - the man 1 Chronicles 23:14 - the man Psalms 31:2 - an house Psalms 36:1 - servant Psalms 55:19 - even Psalms 61:4 - abide Psalms 84:3 - sparrow Psalms 102:12 - thou Psalms 102:24 - thy years Isaiah 33:16 - shall dwell Jeremiah 50:6 - have forgotten Jeremiah 50:7 - the habitation Daniel 4:34 - is from Habakkuk 3:1 - prayer John 14:23 - make 1 Corinthians 10:5 - General 2 Corinthians 6:16 - I will dwell

Verse 2

Before: Job 38:4-6, Job 38:28, Job 38:29, Proverbs 8:25, Proverbs 8:26

or ever: Psalms 33:9, Psalms 146:6, Genesis 1:1

even from: Psalms 93:2, Psalms 102:24-27, Psalms 103:17, Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 57:15, Micah 5:2, Habakkuk 1:12, 1 Timothy 6:15, 1 Timothy 6:16, Hebrews 1:10-12, Hebrews 13:8, Revelation 1:8

thou: Isaiah 45:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:4 - the generations Genesis 21:33 - everlasting Exodus 3:14 - I AM hath Deuteronomy 33:27 - eternal Job 10:5 - General Job 15:7 - or wast thou Job 36:26 - neither Psalms 9:7 - But Psalms 55:19 - even Psalms 102:12 - thou Isaiah 43:13 - before Lamentations 5:19 - remainest Daniel 4:34 - him Daniel 7:9 - the Ancient Habakkuk 3:6 - his John 5:26 - hath life Romans 1:20 - even his 1 Timothy 1:17 - the King Hebrews 1:11 - thou 1 John 2:13 - him that Revelation 1:4 - him

Verse 3

Thou: Psalms 104:29, Psalms 146:4, Genesis 3:19, Genesis 6:6, Genesis 6:7, Numbers 14:35, Job 12:10, Job 34:14, Job 34:15, Ecclesiastes 12:7

Return ye children of men: Rather, "Return ye children of Adam;" i.e., to that dust out of which ye were originally formed.

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:18 - herb Genesis 47:9 - an hundred Numbers 26:65 - They shall Deuteronomy 2:14 - until all the generation 2 Samuel 14:14 - we must 2 Samuel 19:32 - fourscore Job 10:9 - into dust again Job 15:20 - the number 1 Corinthians 15:56 - sting

Verse 4

For: 2 Peter 3:8

is past: or, when he hath passed them

and as: Matthew 14:25, Matthew 24:43, Luke 12:38

Reciprocal: Job 8:9 - we are but Job 15:20 - the number Psalms 39:5 - Behold Psalms 90:9 - a tale Psalms 102:27 - years Hebrews 1:12 - and thy Hebrews 13:8 - General Revelation 20:3 - the thousand

Verse 5

Thou: Job 9:26, Job 22:16, Job 27:20, Job 27:21, Isaiah 8:7, Isaiah 8:8, Jeremiah 46:7, Jeremiah 46:8

as a sleep: Psalms 73:20, Isaiah 29:7, Isaiah 29:8

morning: Psalms 103:15, Psalms 103:16, Isaiah 40:6, James 1:10, James 1:11, 1 Peter 1:24

groweth up: or, is changed

Reciprocal: Job 4:19 - crushed Job 6:11 - What Job 7:6 - swifter Job 14:2 - like Job 14:4 - Who can bring Job 20:8 - fly away Psalms 37:2 - General Psalms 39:5 - Behold Psalms 92:7 - wicked Ecclesiastes 3:18 - concerning Isaiah 37:27 - as the grass of Isaiah 51:12 - man which Isaiah 64:6 - we all Jonah 4:7 - it withered Matthew 6:30 - clothe Luke 8:42 - and she 1 Corinthians 7:29 - the time James 4:14 - a vapour

Verse 6

Psalms 92:7, Job 14:2, Matthew 6:30

Reciprocal: Job 7:6 - swifter Psalms 32:4 - moisture Psalms 37:2 - General Psalms 89:15 - know Psalms 103:15 - his days Isaiah 37:27 - as the grass of Isaiah 40:6 - All flesh Isaiah 51:12 - man which Isaiah 64:6 - we all Jonah 4:7 - it withered James 1:10 - because

Verse 7

For we: Psalms 90:9, Psalms 90:11, Psalms 39:11, Psalms 59:13, Numbers 17:12, Numbers 17:13, Deuteronomy 2:14-16, Hebrews 3:10, Hebrews 3:11, Hebrews 3:17-19, Hebrews 4:1, Hebrews 4:2

are we: Exodus 14:24, Romans 2:8, Romans 2:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:17 - in sorrow Deuteronomy 2:15 - the hand of the Deuteronomy 6:15 - lest 1 Kings 11:9 - angry 2 Chronicles 19:2 - is wrath Job 5:6 - trouble Job 19:11 - kindled Job 21:17 - distributeth Psalms 32:4 - moisture Psalms 38:3 - because Psalms 78:33 - days Psalms 80:16 - perish Psalms 88:7 - Thy wrath Psalms 88:16 - fierce Psalms 102:10 - Because Proverbs 15:15 - All Ecclesiastes 2:23 - all Ecclesiastes 5:17 - much Ecclesiastes 6:5 - this Ecclesiastes 11:10 - sorrow Isaiah 64:5 - thou art wroth Jeremiah 30:14 - because Lamentations 1:5 - for Matthew 11:28 - all Mark 2:5 - sins Luke 5:20 - Man Luke 7:21 - plagues 1 Corinthians 10:5 - General

Verse 8

Thou: Psalms 10:11, Psalms 50:21, Psalms 139:1-4, Job 34:21, Jeremiah 9:13-16, Jeremiah 16:17, Jeremiah 23:24, Ezekiel 8:12, Revelation 20:12

our: Psalms 19:12, Proverbs 5:21, Ecclesiastes 12:14, Luke 12:1, Luke 12:2, Romans 2:16, 1 Corinthians 4:5, Hebrews 4:12, Hebrews 4:13, 1 John 3:20

in the: Psalms 80:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:21 - see Numbers 14:28 - As truly Numbers 32:23 - be sure your sin 2 Samuel 12:9 - to do evil 1 Kings 11:9 - angry 2 Chronicles 19:2 - is wrath Job 5:7 - man Job 7:8 - thine eyes Psalms 38:3 - because Psalms 109:15 - before Jeremiah 2:22 - yet thine iniquity Jeremiah 30:14 - because Lamentations 1:5 - for Hosea 7:2 - are before Luke 5:20 - Man 1 Corinthians 10:5 - General

Verse 9

For: Psalms 78:33

passed: Heb. turned

we spend: The Vulgate has, Anni nostri sicut aranea mediatabuntur, "Our years pass away like those of the spider." Our plans and operations are like the spider's web. Life is as frail, and the thread of it as brittle, as one of those which constitute the well-wrought and curious, but fragile habitation of that insect. All the versions have the word spider, but it is not found in any Hebrew manuscripts, or edition yet collated. The Hebrew might be rendered, "We consume our lives with a groan," kemo hegeh.

a tale: Heb. a meditation, Psalms 90:4, Psalms 39:5

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:28 - As truly Deuteronomy 2:14 - until all the generation 1 Chronicles 29:15 - our days Job 5:7 - man Job 7:8 - thine eyes Job 9:25 - they flee away Psalms 90:7 - For we Ecclesiastes 1:4 - One generation Ecclesiastes 2:3 - all Ecclesiastes 12:3 - strong 1 John 2:17 - the world

Verse 10

The days: etc. Heb. As for the days of our years, in them are seventy years, Genesis 47:9, Deuteronomy 34:7

yet: 2 Samuel 19:35, 1 Kings 1:1, Ecclesiastes 12:2-7

for: Psalms 78:39, Job 14:10, *marg. Job 24:24, Isaiah 38:12, Luke 12:20, James 4:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 5:5 - nine Genesis 9:29 - nine Genesis 42:38 - bring Genesis 47:28 - the whole age Exodus 7:7 - General Exodus 23:26 - the number Leviticus 27:7 - from Deuteronomy 31:2 - I am an Joshua 14:11 - General 1 Samuel 3:2 - his eyes 1 Samuel 4:15 - ninety 2 Samuel 14:14 - we must 1 Kings 14:4 - for his eyes 1 Kings 15:23 - in the time 2 Chronicles 24:15 - an hundred Job 9:25 - they flee away Job 42:16 - an Psalms 39:5 - Behold Psalms 71:9 - when Ecclesiastes 1:4 - One generation Ecclesiastes 6:12 - the days of his vain life Ecclesiastes 12:1 - while Ecclesiastes 12:3 - strong Jeremiah 20:18 - to see Jeremiah 28:3 - two full years Zechariah 1:5 - General

Verse 11

Leviticus 26:18, Leviticus 26:21, Leviticus 26:24, Leviticus 26:28, Deuteronomy 28:59, Deuteronomy 29:20-29, Isaiah 33:14, Nahum 1:6, Luke 12:5, 2 Corinthians 5:11, Revelation 6:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 15:11 - fearful Exodus 22:24 - my wrath Numbers 25:3 - the anger Deuteronomy 6:15 - lest Deuteronomy 31:17 - my anger 1 Chronicles 21:30 - he was afraid Ezra 8:22 - his power and his wrath Job 9:34 - let not Psalms 76:7 - who Psalms 88:16 - fierce Psalms 90:7 - For we Proverbs 24:22 - who Isaiah 2:10 - for fear Jeremiah 10:10 - the nations Zechariah 14:12 - Their flesh Romans 2:8 - indignation Romans 9:22 - willing Hebrews 10:31 - to fall

Verse 12

So: Psalms 39:4, Deuteronomy 32:29, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Luke 12:35-40, John 9:4, Ephesians 5:16, Ephesians 5:17

that: Job 28:28, Proverbs 2:2-6, Proverbs 3:13-18, Proverbs 4:5, Proverbs 4:7, Proverbs 7:1-4, Proverbs 8:32-36, Proverbs 16:16, Proverbs 18:1, Proverbs 18:2, Proverbs 22:17, Proverbs 23:12, Proverbs 23:23

apply our hearts: Heb. cause our hearts to come

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:28 - the whole age Job 15:20 - the number Psalms 119:84 - How Proverbs 4:20 - General Proverbs 19:20 - be Lamentations 3:27 - bear Colossians 4:5 - Walk

Verse 13

Return: Psalms 6:4, Psalms 80:14, Jeremiah 12:15, Joel 2:13, Joel 2:14, Zechariah 1:16

how: Psalms 89:46

let it: Psalms 106:45, Psalms 135:14, Exodus 32:14, Deuteronomy 32:36, Hosea 11:8, Amos 7:3, Amos 7:6, Jonah 3:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:14 - I will Exodus 32:12 - repent Numbers 10:36 - O Lord Judges 2:18 - it repented 2 Samuel 24:16 - repented 1 Chronicles 21:15 - It is enough Psalms 6:3 - how Psalms 60:1 - O turn Psalms 86:16 - turn Psalms 119:82 - When wilt Isaiah 6:11 - Lord Isaiah 63:17 - Return Jeremiah 18:8 - I will Jonah 4:2 - and of Micah 7:19 - turn Habakkuk 3:2 - O Lord

Verse 14

satisfy: Psalms 36:7, Psalms 36:8, Psalms 63:3-5, Psalms 65:4, Psalms 103:3-5, Jeremiah 31:15, Zechariah 9:17

that we: Psalms 23:6, Psalms 85:6, Psalms 86:4, Psalms 149:2, Philippians 4:4

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:23 - O Psalms 13:1 - How Proverbs 19:20 - be Proverbs 19:23 - shall abide Micah 7:19 - turn

Verse 15

Make: Psalms 30:5, Psalms 126:5, Psalms 126:6, Isaiah 12:1, Isaiah 40:1, Isaiah 40:2, Isaiah 61:3, Isaiah 65:18, Isaiah 65:19, Jeremiah 31:12, Jeremiah 31:13, Matthew 5:4, John 16:20, Revelation 7:14-17

the years: Deuteronomy 2:14-16

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:3 - Return Judges 3:15 - cried unto Ecclesiastes 2:23 - all Isaiah 33:2 - our salvation

Verse 16

Let: Psalms 44:1, Numbers 14:15-24, Habakkuk 3:2

and: Numbers 14:30, Numbers 14:31, Deuteronomy 1:39, Joshua 4:22-24, Joshua 23:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:12 - I pray Exodus 28:2 - glory Job 40:10 - glory Psalms 69:36 - The seed Psalms 78:6 - who Psalms 102:28 - their seed Psalms 103:17 - unto children's Isaiah 28:5 - for a diadem Jeremiah 30:20 - children Zechariah 10:7 - yea John 11:40 - see Romans 9:4 - and the glory 2 Corinthians 4:6 - the light

Verse 17

And let: Psalms 27:4, Psalms 50:2, Psalms 80:3, Psalms 80:7, Psalms 110:3, 2 Corinthians 3:18, 1 John 3:2

establish: Psalms 68:28, Psalms 118:25, Job 22:28, Proverbs 16:3, Isaiah 26:12, 1 Corinthians 3:7, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:17, 2 Thessalonians 3:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:12 - I pray Genesis 24:42 - prosper Exodus 28:2 - glory Deuteronomy 2:7 - blessed Deuteronomy 26:15 - bless thy 1 Chronicles 17:24 - and let 2 Chronicles 20:21 - the beauty Job 1:10 - thou hast blessed Job 40:10 - glory Psalms 29:2 - the beauty of holiness Psalms 69:36 - The seed Psalms 102:28 - their seed Psalms 149:4 - beautify Song of Solomon 1:5 - comely Isaiah 28:5 - for a diadem Jeremiah 30:20 - children Zechariah 9:17 - how great is his beauty Zechariah 11:10 - Beauty