Bible Commentaries
Psalms 90

Verses 1-17

BOOK IV.— PSS. XC.– CVI.

XC. Man’ s Mortality and his Refuge in the Ever-living God.

Psalms 90:1-6 . The nothingness of man’ s life, the eternity of God’ s life.

Psalms 90:7-10 . It is the sinfulness of man which makes his life so short.

Psalms 90:11 f. Man’ s lot should teach him reverence and wisdom.

Psalms 90:13-17 . Prayer for God’ s blessing in the future.

Psalms 90:1 . dwelling-place: the thought is beautiful but irrelevant. The Psalmist is speaking of God’ s eternity, not of His dealing with Israel. Moreover, Psalms 90:1 a and Psalms 90:1 b are out of order. Read, “ Lord, thou hast been in all time. Even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Before the mountains were brought forth or ever the earth and the world had been formed.” Not “ thou hadst formed,” for no one would need to be told that the Maker must have existed before the things which He made.

Psalms 90:3 . Return: to the dust from which you were made.

Psalms 90:5 a. RV is scarcely possible. Read, “ Thou sowest them year by year.” New generations spring up, flourish, and die, God lives for ever.

Psalms 90:11 b . Read, “ And who looketh upon thy fury?”