Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 90:2
“Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
NIV · New International Version
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
WEB · World English Bible
Before the mountains were born, before you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
What does Psalms 90:2 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth,.... Or "were born" (b), and came forth out of the womb and bowels of the earth, and were made to rise and stand up at the command of God, as they did when he first created the earth; and are mentioned not only because of their firmness and stability, but their antiquity: hence we read of the ancient mountains and everlasting hills, Genesis 49:26, for they were before the flood, and as soon as the earth was; or otherwise the eternity of God would not be so fully expressed by this phrase as it is here, and elsewhere the eternity of Christ, Proverbs 8:25, or "ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world"; the whole terraqueous globe, and all the…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalms 90:1–6
To give God the glory of his eternity (Psa 90:2): Before the mountains were brought forth, before he made the highest part of the dust of the world (as it is expressed, Pro 8:26), before the earth fell in travail, or, as we may read it, before thou hadst formed the earth and the world (that is, before the beginning of time) thou hadst a being; even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God, an eternal God, whose existence has neither its commencement nor its period with time, nor is measured by the successions and revolutions of it, but who art the same yesterday, today, and for ever, without beginning of days, or end of life, or change of time. Note, Against all the grievances that…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 90:1–2
Before the mountains were brought forth, and before thou hadst formed the earth and the world, [564] even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 1 O Lord! thou hast been our dwelling-place. In separating the seed of Abraham by special privilege from the rest of the human family, the Psalmist magnifies the grace of adoption, by which God had embraced them as his children. The object which he has in view in this exordium is, that God would now renew the grace which he had displayed in old time towards the holy patriarchs, and continue it towards their offspring. Some commentators think that he alludes to the tabernacle, because in it the majesty of God was not less conspicuous than if…
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 90:1–5 (WEB)
1A Prayer by Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place for all generations. 2Before the mountains were born, before you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. 3You turn man to destruction, saying, “Return, you children of men.” 4For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past, like a watch in the night. 5You sweep them away as they sleep. In the morning they sprout like new grass.
Cross references
- Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
- Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
- Psalms 102:24–27
- Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
- Psalms 93:2
- 1 Timothy 6:15–16
which at the right time he will show, who is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
- Hebrews 1:10–12
And, “You, Lord, in the beginning, laid the foundation of the earth. The heavens are the works of your hands.
- Psalms 33:9
Key words
In the Baptist Catechism
- Q8. What is God?
God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.