Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryPsalms 90

A Prayer of Moses: The Eternal God and Human FrailtyThis psalm is called a prayer of Moses, the man of God. Moses was a great prophet and leader, often teaching the people how to pray and trust in God. In this psalm, he reminds us of God’s faithful care, His eternal nature, and the shortness of human life. These truths should guide us to trust in God and find comfort in Him, especially when we feel weak or afraid.v. 1: Moses gives thanks for God’s constant care: Lord

v. 2: He praises God’s eternity: Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God . God existed before anything was created and will exist forever. Our lives are short, but God is eternal and unchanging (Proverbs 8:26 ).

v. 3: Moses recognizes God’s power over human life: You turn man to destruction, and say, ‘Return, O children of men’ . God decides when people die and when they are born. Sometimes He calls people to repent and return to Him, and one day, He will call everyone to rise again (Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 12:7 ).

v. 4: He shows how different God is from us: For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night . To God, even a thousand years is nothing. Time passes quickly for us, but God is above all time (2 Peter 3:8 ).

v. 5: Moses speaks about human frailty: You carry them away like a flood; they are like a sleep . Human life is quickly swept away, like water in a flood or a dream that is soon forgotten. Life is fragile and passing.

v. 6: He compares our lives to grass: In the morning it flourishes and grows up; in the evening it is cut down and withers . Just like grass grows and then quickly fades, our lives are short and can end suddenly. This helps us remember not to trust in things that will not last.

Penitent SubmissionAfter speaking about how short life is, Moses now teaches Israel to admit that their suffering comes from God’s anger because of their sins. They are not only sharing in the common troubles of all people, but also facing special judgment because of their disobedience. In these verses, Moses leads the people to confess their guilt and accept God’s justice, showing us how important it is to be honest with God about our sins.v. 7: The people of Israel confess, For we are consumed by your anger, and by your wrath we are troubled . They admit that their suffering and troubles are not just natural, but are the result of God’s anger over their sin. Death and sickness come not only from nature, but because sin has brought God’s judgment into the world.

v. 8: They continue, You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your countenance . God sees all their sins, even the hidden ones. Nothing is hidden from God, and He judges both open sins and those done in secret. This is why His anger is just.

v. 9: They say, For all our days are passed away in your wrath; we finish our years as a tale that is told . The Israelites realize that their lives are short and filled with trouble because of God’s anger. Their years are quickly gone, just like a story that is soon forgotten.

v. 10: The days of our years are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away . Most people live only seventy or eighty years. Even these years are full of hard work and sadness. Life is short, and when it ends, we are quickly gone.

v. 11: Moses asks, Who knows the power of your anger? Even according to your fear, so is your wrath . God’s anger is more serious than people realize. No one can fully understand how powerful it is, and most people do not take it seriously enough. God’s wrath matches the respect and fear He deserves.

Prayers for MercyIn these verses, Moses leads the people in prayer, asking God for help and mercy. The people have learned from their troubles and want to respond to God in the right way. They pray for wisdom to use their short lives well, for God to forgive and comfort them, and for His blessing on their work and on their children. These prayers show the right attitude when facing suffering or correction from God.v. 12: The prayer begins with a request for wisdom: So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom . Moses asks God to help the people remember how short life is, so they will live wisely and use their time for what really matters.

v. 13: Next, there is a plea for God’s mercy: Return, O Lord

v. 14: They pray for joy: Oh, satisfy us early with your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days . The people know true happiness comes from God’s love and mercy, not from their own efforts (Psalm 4:6-7 ).

v. 15: They ask God to balance their sorrow with joy: Make us glad according to the days in which you have afflicted us, the years in which we have seen evil . They hope that after a long time of trouble, God will give them times of gladness to match their suffering (Ecclesiastes 7:14 ).

v. 16: The people pray for God’s work to be seen: Let your work appear to your servants, and your glory to their children . They want God to show His power in their lives and in the lives of the next generation, so everyone will know His greatness.

v. 17: Finally, they ask for God’s blessing on their lives: And let the beauty of the Lord