Psalms 90
Psalms 90 is part of “Book IV: The Numbers Book” (90–106) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 90 summary
The foregoing psalm is supposed to have been penned as late as the captivity in Babylon; this, it is plain, was penned as early as the deliverance out of Egypt, and yet they are put close together in this collection of divine songs. This psalm was penned by Moses (as appears by the title), the most ancient penman of sacred writ. We have upon record a praising song of his (Ex. 15, which is alluded to Rev 15:3), and an instructing song of his, Deu. 32. But this is of a different nature from both, for it is called a prayer.
Read the full introduction
The foregoing psalm is supposed to have been penned as late as the captivity in Babylon; this, it is plain, was penned as early as the deliverance out of Egypt, and yet they are put close together in this collection of divine songs. This psalm was penned by Moses (as appears by the title), the most ancient penman of sacred writ. We have upon record a praising song of his (Ex. 15, which is alluded to Rev 15:3), and an instructing song of his, Deu. 32. But this is of a different nature from both, for it is called a prayer. It is supposed that this psalm was penned upon occasion of the sentence passed upon Israel in the wilderness for their unbelief, murmuring, and rebellion, that their carcases should fall in the wilderness, that they should be wasted away by a series of miseries for thirty-eight years together, and that none of them that were then of age should enter Canaan. This was calculated for their wanderings in the wilderness, as that other song of Moses (Deu 31:19, Deu 31:21) was for their settlement in Canaan. We have the story to which this psalm seems to refer, Num. 14. Probably Moses penned this prayer to be daily used, either by the people in their tents, or, at lest, by the priests in the tabernacle-service, during their tedious fatigue in the wilderness. In it, I. Moses comforts himself and his people with the eternity of God and their interest in him (Psa 90:1, Psa 90:2). II. He humbles himself and his people with the consideration of the frailty of man (Psa 90:3-6). III. He submits himself and his people to the righteous sentence of God passed upon them (Psa 90:7-11). IV. He commits himself and his people to God by prayer for divine mercy and grace, and the return of God's favour (Psa 90:12-17). Though it seems to have been penned upon this particular occasion, yet it is very applicable to the frailty of human life in general, and, in singing it, we may easily apply it to the years of our passage through the wilderness of this world, and it furnishes us with meditations and prayers very suitable to the solemnity of a funeral. A Prayer of Moses the man of God.
Source: 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).
Key verses in Psalms 90
Psalms 90 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
From Everlasting to Everlasting
1A prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, thou hast bene our habitation from generation to generation. 2Before the mountaines were made, and before thou hadst formed the earth, and the world, euen from euerlasting to euerlasting thou art our God. 3Thou turnest man to destruction: againe thou sayest, Returne, ye sonnes of Adam. 4For a thousande yeeres in thy sight are as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 5Thou hast ouerflowed them: they are as a sleepe: in the morning he groweth like the grasse: 6In the morning it florisheth and groweth, but in the euening it is cut downe and withereth. 7For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. 8Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, and our secret sinnes in the light of thy countenance. 9For all our dayes are past in thine anger: we haue spent our yeeres as a thought. 10The time of our life is threescore yeeres and ten, and if they be of strength, fourescore yeeres: yet their strength is but labour and sorowe: for it is cut off quickly, and we flee away. 11Who knoweth the power of thy wrath? for according to thy feare is thine anger. 12Teach vs so to nomber our dayes, that we may apply our heartes vnto wisdome. 13Returne (O Lord, howe long?) and be pacified toward thy seruants. 14Fill vs with thy mercie in the morning: so shall we reioyce and be glad all our dayes. 15Comfort vs according to the dayes that thou hast afflicted vs, and according to the yeeres that we haue seene euill. 16Let thy worke bee seene towarde thy seruants, and thy glory vpon their children. 17And let the beautie of the Lord our God be vpon vs, and direct thou the worke of our hands vpon vs, euen direct the worke of our handes.