Psalms 90:3

²Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. ³You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.” ⁴For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night.

Summary

This verse reflects on the eternal nature of God, highlighting His transcendence above time and creation. It emphasizes that God existed before the mountains were formed and the earth was brought forth, showcasing His sovereignty and omnipotence. The imagery of God as the everlasting God underscores His unchanging nature and eternal existence, contrasting with the temporary and fleeting nature of human life. Ultimately, this verse serves as a reminder of God's eternal nature and His role as the Creator and sustainer of all things.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

to destruction--literally, "even to dust" (Gen 3:19), which is partly quoted in the last clause.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Thou turnest man to destruction,.... Or to death, as the Targum, which is the destruction of man; not an annihilation of body or soul, but a dissolution of the union between them; the words may be rendered, "thou turnest man until he is broken" (b); and crumbled into dust; thou turnest him about in the world, and through a course of afflictions and diseases, and at last by old age, and however by death, returns him to his original, from whence he came, the dust of the earth, which he becomes again, Gen 3:19 the grave may be meant by destruction: and sayest, return, ye children of men, or "Adam"; from whom they all sprung, and in whom they all sinned, and so became subject to death; to these he says, when by diseases he threatens them with a dissolution, return by repentance, and live; and sometimes, when they are brought to the brink of the grave, he returns them from sickness to health, delivers them from the pit, and enlightens them with the light of the living, as he did Hezekiah: or this may refer to the resurrection of the dead, which will be by Christ, and by his voice calling the dead to return to life, to rise and come to judgment; though some understand this as descriptive of death, when by the divine order and command man returns to his original dust; thus the frailty of man is opposed to the eternity of God. Gussetius understands all this of God's bringing men to repentance, contrition, and conversion; and takes the sense to be, "thou turnest till he becomes contrite, and sayest, be ye converted, ye sons of Adam;'' which he thinks (c) best agrees with the mind of the Apostle Peter, who quotes the following passage, Pe2 3:8. Some, as Arama observes, connect this with the following verse; though men live 1000 years, yet they are but as yesterday in the sight of God. (b) "convertes hominem usque ad contritionem", Montanus; "donec conteratur", Musculus, Tigurine verion; "donee sit contritus", Vatablus; "ut sit contritus", Junius & Tremellius. (c) Ebr. Comment. p. 158.