KJV

Psalms 90

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1¶ A Prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou [art] God.

3Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

4For a thousand years in thy sight [are but] as yesterday when it is past, and [as] a watch in the night.

5Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are [as] a sleep: in the morning [they are] like grass [which] groweth up.

6In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

7¶ For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.

8Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret [sins] in the light of thy countenance.

9For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale [that is told].

10The days of our years [are] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength [they be] fourscore years, yet [is] their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

11Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, [so is] thy wrath.

12¶ So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom.

13Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

14O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15Make us glad according to the days [wherein] thou hast afflicted us, [and] the years [wherein] we have seen evil.

16Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.

17And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

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Psalms 90:1-6 Verses 1-6

It is supposed that this psalm refers to the sentence passed on Israel in the wilderness, Nu 14. The favour and protection of God are the only sure rest and comfort of the soul in this evil world. Christ Jesus is the refuge and dwelling-place to which we may repair. We are dying creatures, all our comforts in the world are dying comforts, but God is an ever-living God, and believers find him so. When God, by sickness, or other afflictions, turns men to destruction, he thereby calls men to return unto him to repent of their sins, and live a new life. A thousand years are nothing to God's eternity: between a minute and a million of years there is some proportion; between time and eternity there is none. All the events of a thousand years, whether past or to come, are more present to the Eternal Mind, than what was done in the last hour is to us. And in the resurrection, the body and soul shall both return and be united again. Time passes unobserved by us, as with men asleep; and when it is past, it is as nothing. It is a short and quickly-passing life, as the waters of a flood. Man does but flourish as the grass, which, when the winter of old age comes, will wither; but he may be mown down by disease or disaster.

Psalms 90:7-11 Verses 7-11

The afflictions of the saints often come from God's love; but the rebukes of sinners, and of believers for their sins, must be seen coming from the displeasure of God. Secret sins are known to God, and shall be reckoned for. See the folly of those who go about to cover their sins, for they cannot do so. Our years, when gone, can no more be recalled than the words that we have spoken. Our whole life is toilsome and troublesome; and perhaps, in the midst of the years we count upon, it is cut off. We are taught by all this to stand in awe. The angels that sinned know the power of God's anger; sinners in hell know it; but which of us can fully describe it? Few seriously consider it as they ought. Those who make a mock at sin, and make light of Christ, surely do not know the power of God's anger. Who among us can dwell with that devouring fire?

Psalms 90:12-17 Verses 12-17

Those who would learn true wisdom, must pray for Divine instruction, must beg to be taught by the Holy Spirit; and for comfort and joy in the returns of God's favour. They pray for the mercy of God, for they pretend not to plead any merit of their own. His favour would be a full fountain of future joys. It would be a sufficient balance to former griefs. Let the grace of God in us produce the light of good works. And let Divine consolations put gladness into our hearts, and a lustre upon our countenances. The work of our hands, establish thou it; and, in order to that, establish us in it. Instead of wasting our precious, fleeting days in pursuing fancies, which leave the possessors for ever poor, let us seek the forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance in heaven. Let us pray that the work of the Holy Spirit may appear in converting our hearts, and that the beauty of holiness may be seen in our conduct.

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Age Psalm 90:10

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.

Age and Wisdom Psalm 90:12

So teach us to number our days, that we may present a heart of wisdom.

Anger: Anger of God Psalm 90:11

Who knows the power of Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear You are due.

Beauty: Spiritual Psalm 90:17

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!

Earth: Created by God Psalm 90:2

Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

Faith: Exemplified Psalm 90:1

A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations.

Favor Psalm 90:17

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!

Finding a Job Psalm 90:17

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!

Flood: References To Psalm 90:5

You whisk them away in their sleep; they are like the new grass of the morning—

God is Declared to Be: Eternal Psalm 90:2

Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

God: Creator Psalm 90:2

Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.

God: Eternity of Psalm 90:1, 2, 4

A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations. / Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God. / For in Your sight a thousand years are but a day that passes, or a watch of the night.

God: Judge, and his Justice Psalm 90:8, 11

You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence. / Who knows the power of Your anger? Your wrath matches the fear You are due.

God: Love of, Exemplified Psalm 90:1

A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations.

God: Power of Psalm 90:3

You return man to dust, saying, “Return, O sons of mortals.”

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