Psalms 90
BSB1 Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations. 2 Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. 3 You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals." 4 For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night. 5 You whisk them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning— 6 in the morning it springs up new, but by evening it fades and withers. 7 For we are consumed by Your anger and terrified by Your wrath. 8 You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence. 9 For all our days decline in Your fury; we finish our years with a sigh. 10 The length of our days is seventy years— or eighty if we are strong— yet their pride is but labor and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear You are due. 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom. 13 Return, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on Your servants. 14 Satisfy us in the morning with Your loving devotion, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen evil. 16 May Your work be shown to Your servants, and Your splendor to their children. 17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish for us the work of our hands— yes, establish the work of our hands!
Study Notes — Psalms 90
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Psalms 90
- Themes from Psalms 90
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Psalms 90
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The chapter begins with a declaration of God's eternal presence and care for His people, noting that even before the mountains were born, God was God, and He has been our dwelling place throughout all generations (Psalms 90:1-2). Moses then reflects on the transience of human life, lamenting that our days are like grass, and we wither like the grass (Psalms 90:5-6). He acknowledges the consequences of sin, which have led to a life of toil and sorrow (Psalms 90:10). The psalm concludes with a plea for God to teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom, and for God to satisfy us in the morning with His steadfast love (Psalms 90:12, 14).
Context for the Chapter
Psalms 90 is attributed to Moses, placing it in the context of the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites. This setting gives the psalm a sense of urgency and longing, as Moses reflects on the experiences of his people and the character of God. The chapter fits within the broader narrative of the Psalms, which explore themes of worship, trust, and the relationship between God and humanity. Its message about the transience of life and the eternal nature of God resonates throughout the biblical canon, connecting with themes found in both the Old and New Testaments.
Heart Application
This chapter invites readers to reflect on their own mortality and the fleeting nature of life, encouraging them to seek a heart of wisdom and to find satisfaction in God's steadfast love. It prompts us to consider how we are living in light of eternity and to turn to God for guidance and comfort in the face of life's uncertainties.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Psalms 90 teaches us that life is short and can end at any moment, as seen in Psalms 90:5-6. It reminds us to seek wisdom from God, so we can live our lives in a way that truly matters, as expressed in the plea to teach us to number our days (Psalms 90:12). The chapter concludes with a note of hope, looking to God's steadfast love for satisfaction and comfort.
Voices from the Church
“The brevity of life is a truth which none can dispute, and the certainty of death is a fact which none can escape; hence the necessity of being prepared for it.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“We must learn to number our days, that we may apply our minds to wisdom, and not waste our lives in foolishness and vanity.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction: God's Eternal Presence (Psalms 90:1-2) — The psalm begins by affirming God's eternal nature and His role as the dwelling place of His people throughout all generations.
- The Transience of Human Life (Psalms 90:3-6) — Moses reflects on the brevity and frailty of human existence, noting that our days are like grass and we wither like the grass.
- The Consequences of Sin (Psalms 90:7-11) — The psalm acknowledges the impact of sin on human life, leading to sorrow, toil, and a shortened lifespan.
- Plea for Wisdom and Satisfaction (Psalms 90:12-14) — The chapter concludes with a plea for God to teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom, and for God to satisfy us in the morning with His steadfast love.
- Conclusion: Hope in God's Love (Psalms 90:15-17) — The psalm ends on a note of hope, looking to God to make us glad for as many days as we have suffered, and to show us His work and make us glad with Him in our labor.
Core Doctrines
- The Doctrine of God's Eternity
- This chapter teaches that God is eternal, a concept that underscores His unchanging nature and provides a foundation for trust and worship.
- The Doctrine of Human Mortality
- Psalms 90 emphasizes the transience of human life, highlighting the need for humans to recognize their mortality and to seek divine wisdom and guidance.
- The Doctrine of Sin's Consequences
- The psalm notes that sin leads to a life of sorrow and toil, illustrating the biblical theme of sin's consequences and the need for redemption.
- The Doctrine of God's Steadfast Love
- The chapter concludes by affirming God's steadfast love as a source of comfort and satisfaction, emphasizing the enduring and faithful nature of God's love for His people.
Lessons from Psalms 90
- The Importance of Recognizing Mortality — The chapter teaches us to acknowledge the brevity of life, prompting us to live with intention and purpose, recognizing that our days are numbered.
- Seeking Divine Wisdom — Psalms 90 emphasizes the need to seek wisdom from God, especially in the face of life's uncertainties and the recognition of our own mortality.
- Understanding the Consequences of Sin — The psalm illustrates the impact of sin on human life, leading to a life of sorrow and toil, and underscores the need for redemption and forgiveness.
- Finding Comfort in God's Steadfast Love — The chapter concludes by pointing to God's steadfast love as a source of comfort and satisfaction, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's love and care.
- Living with Eternity in View — The reflection on God's eternity and human mortality encourages readers to live their lives with an eternal perspective, prioritizing what truly matters in light of God's timeless nature.
Themes from Psalms 90
- Mortality and Transience — The chapter explores the theme of human mortality, emphasizing the brevity and fragility of life, as seen in Psalms 90:5-6.
- God's Eternity — Psalms 90 contrasts human mortality with God's eternal nature, highlighting His unchanging character and the dependability of His love and wisdom.
- The Need for Wisdom — The psalm underscores the importance of seeking divine wisdom, especially in the face of life's uncertainties and the recognition of our own mortality, as expressed in the plea to 'teach us to number our days' (Psalms 90:12).
- Sin's Consequences — The chapter notes that sin leads to a life of sorrow and toil, illustrating the biblical theme of sin's consequences and the need for redemption and forgiveness.
- God's Steadfast Love — The psalm concludes by affirming God's steadfast love as a source of comfort and satisfaction, emphasizing the enduring and faithful nature of God's love for His people, as seen in Psalms 90:14.
Questions for Meditation
- How does the reflection on human mortality in Psalms 90 impact your perspective on life and your priorities?
- What does the chapter teach about the consequences of sin, and how does this relate to your understanding of the need for redemption?
- In what ways can you apply the plea to 'teach us to number our days' in your daily life, seeking a heart of wisdom?
- How does the concept of God's eternity and steadfast love provide comfort and assurance in the face of life's uncertainties?
- What role does trust in God's wisdom and love play in navigating the challenges and sorrows of life, as highlighted in the chapter?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction: God's Eternal Presence (Psalms 90:1-2)
| 90:1 | Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. |
| 90:2 | Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. |
2. The Transience of Human Life (Psalms 90:3-6)
| 90:3 | You turn man back to dust and say, "Return, O children of men." |
| 90:4 | For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. |
| 90:5 | You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning. |
| 90:6 | In the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. |
3. The Consequences of Sin (Psalms 90:7-11)
| 90:7 | For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. |
| 90:8 | You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. |
| 90:9 | For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. |
| 90:10 | The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. |
| 90:11 | Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? |
4. Plea for Wisdom and Satisfaction (Psalms 90:12-14)
| 90:12 | So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. |
| 90:13 | Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! |
| 90:14 | Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. |
5. Conclusion: Hope in God's Love (Psalms 90:15-17)
| 90:15 | Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. |
| 90:16 | Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. |
| 90:17 | Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Psalms 90?
The main theme of Psalms 90 is the contrast between God's eternity and human mortality, and the need to seek divine wisdom and guidance in light of this contrast, as seen in Psalms 90:12.
How does the chapter describe human life?
The chapter describes human life as transient and fragile, comparing our days to grass that withers and fades, as noted in Psalms 90:5-6.
What is the significance of the plea to 'teach us to number our days'?
This plea is a request for God to help us understand the value and brevity of life, that we may live with wisdom and intention, as expressed in Psalms 90:12.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 90:1 → Deuteronomy 33:27 | Both passages affirm God as the eternal dwelling place of His people, emphasizing His timeless nature and care. |
| 2 | Psalms 90:2 → Hebrews 1:10-12 | The Hebrews passage quotes Psalms 90:2, applying it to Christ and affirming His eternal nature and role in creation. |
| 3 | Psalms 90:3 → Genesis 3:19 | Both passages note the return of humanity to dust, highlighting the consequence of sin and the transience of human life. |
| 4 | Psalms 90:4 → 2 Peter 3:8 | Both passages compare a thousand years to a day, emphasizing God's different perspective on time and the patience of God. |
| 5 | Psalms 90:5 → Isaiah 40:6-8 | Both passages use the metaphor of grass to describe the transience of human life, emphasizing its frailty and brevity. |
| 6 | Psalms 90:10 → Job 14:1-2 | Both passages reflect on the brevity and trouble of human life, noting its short span and the presence of sorrow. |
| 7 | Psalms 90:12 → James 4:14 | Both passages emphasize the importance of recognizing the brevity of life and living with wisdom and intention. |
| 8 | Psalms 90:14 → Luke 11:3 | Both passages express a desire for daily satisfaction and provision, looking to God for our needs and comfort. |
| 9 | Psalms 90:16 → Ephesians 3:20-21 | Both passages express a desire for God's work to be manifest and for His power to be known, glorifying God in all things. |
| 10 | Psalms 90:17 → Colossians 1:10 | Both passages pray for the establishment of the work of our hands, seeking God's favor and blessing on our endeavors. |
Sermons on Psalms 90
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Books I Recommend With Comments - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his past sins and the transformation he experienced when he realized his own depravity. He mentions going to jail multiple times and living |
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(John - Part 2): In the Beginning Was the Word by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher begins by acknowledging the difficulty of preaching on the phrase "in the beginning." He compares it to the impossible task of lifting oneself up on a |
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God's Bloodhound by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the speaker discusses their plan to distribute 50 sets of 70-hour tapes throughout America to help train young preachers. They express gratitude for the person fina |
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Attributes of God (Series 2): The Eternity of God by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of God in our lives. He mentions that God has been present since before the existence of communism, fascism, and modern inven |
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Eternity by Leonard Ravenhill | The sermon transcript discusses the urgency of preaching the gospel of the kingdom in every land before the glorious day of the son of Manuel's appearance. It emphasizes the need t |
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"Stamp Eternity on My Eye Balls" by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon emphasizes the profound impact that a true understanding of eternity and judgment can have on our lives, suggesting that if we truly grasped these concepts, we would be |
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What Think Ye of Christ by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker uses the analogy of a sinking ship and a lifeboat to illustrate different responses to Jesus Christ. He describes various individuals on the sinking shi |
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(John - Part 42): Life After Death - the Death and Raising of Lazarus by A.W. Tozer | The video is a summary of a sermon by a German theologian named von Hügel. He emphasizes that the only things that seem to move people's emotions in this world are worldly things l |
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(Education for Exultation) if the Lord Wills by John Piper | In this sermon, Pastor John Piper focuses on James 4:13-16 and the importance of humbling ourselves under the sovereignty of God. He addresses the issue of making plans without con |
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His Name -- the Mighty God by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, preached by Charles Haddon Spurgeon in 1859, he emphasizes the divinity of Jesus Christ. Spurgeon highlights the significance of Jesus' death and resurrection, stat |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 90
Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 90 reflects on the eternal nature of God and the transience of human life, emphasizing the need for wisdom and the recognition of our mortality. He notes that our days are short and swiftly passing, and that we must learn to number them, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. Henry highlights the chapter's contrast between the eternal God and mortal men, and the consequences of sin, which lead to a life of sorrow and trouble. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of seeking satisfaction in God's steadfast love and the establishment of the work of our hands, that we may rejoice and be glad in God's favor, as seen in Psalms 90:14 and 17. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
Contrast Between God and Humanity
The psalm starkly contrasts God's eternity with human mortality, emphasizing the dependence of humanity on God's grace and wisdom. This contrast is central to understanding the chapter's themes and message.
The Impact of Sin
Moses notes that human sin has led to a life marked by sorrow and toil, underscoring the biblical theme of sin's consequences and the need for redemption.
Plea for Wisdom
The psalm's conclusion, with its plea for God to teach us to number our days, highlights the human desire for wisdom and the recognition of life's brevity as a motivator for seeking divine guidance.