Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 90

Francis D. Nichol (ed.) and contributors

Psalms 90:1

Lord. Heb. ’Adonai (see Vol. I, p. 173). Dwelling place. Heb. ma‘on, “dwelling”, or “habitation” (see Deut. 26:15; Ps. 26:8; 68:5; 91:9).

Ellen G. White

Then will every soul remember the words of the Lord: Thou hast my secret sins in the light of thy countenance. Many need to make a decided change in the tenor of their thoughts and actions, if they would please Jesus. We can seldom see our sins in the grievous light that God can. Many have habituated themselves to pursue a course of sin, and their hearts harden, under the influence of the power of Satan. And their thoughts are brought into captivity to his evil influences; but when in the strength and grace of God they place their minds against the temptations of Satan, their minds are made clear, their hearts and consciences by being influenced by the Spirit of God are made sensitive, and then sin appears as it is—exceedingly sinful. Then is the time when the secret sins are set in the light of their countenance. They confess their sins to God, and repent of them and become ashamed of sin.... He casts them from the light of His countenance behind His back (Letter 43, 1892).

Psalms 90:2

Mountains. Compare Prov. 8:25, 26. From everlasting to everlasting. God is from eternity in the past to eternity in the future (see Ps. 93:2; Prov. 8:23; Micah 5:2; Hab. 1:12). He is “the Ancient of days” (Dan. 7:9). There could not be a more sublime statement of the eternity of God. The man who recognizes the eternity of God and regards his own life as related to the Eternal, has a powerful stimulus to dignified, worthy living.

Psalms 90:3

Man. Heb. ’enosh, “man in his frailty” (see on Ps. 8:4). Destruction. Heb. dakka’, “crushed,” translated “contrite” in Ps. 34:18; Isa. 57:15; here possibly meaning crushed matter like dust. Return. Seemingly a reference to death. There is no more sobering thought than this, that all, regardless of rank, nationality, wealth, or other mark of distinction, must die.

Psalms 90:4

A thousand years. The passing of time means nothing to the eternal God. Even the life of a Methuselah (see Gen. 5:27) would be, in comparison with the eternity of God, but as a single day; yes, as a yesterday, which, when it has passed, seems still shorter to our recollection (see 2 Peter 3:8). A watch. The idea of the first clause is intensified: a thousand years to God are no more than a division of a single night. Note the rapid succession of images in vs. 4–6.

Psalms 90:5

Like grass. See Ps. 37:2; 72:16; 103:15; Isa. 40:7; James 1:10, 11.

Psalms 90:7

We are consumed. Passing from the generalizations of the eternity of God and the transitory life of man, the psalmist proceeds to present the weakness and sins of himself and his people as the reason for God’s displeasure.

Psalms 90:8

Secret sins. The sins of the heart, which we have tried to hide from the eyes of men; or perhaps the sin that we have forgotten.

Ellen G. White

8. We May See Our Lives as God Does—To dwell upon the beauty, goodness, mercy, and love of Jesus is strengthening to the mental and moral powers, and while the mind is kept trained to do the works of Christ, to be obedient children, you will habitually inquire, Is this the way of the Lord? Will Jesus be pleased to have me do this? Will this course be to please myself or to please Jesus?

Psalms 90:9

Tale. Heb. hegeh, “whispering,” “moaning.” The phrase “that is told” is supplied in the KJV. Life passes with the rapidity of a sigh; thought no sooner comes than it is gone. So unsubstantial is life!

Psalms 90:10

The days of our years. Compare the phrase in Gen. 25:7; 47:9. The psalmist seems to be defining the ordinary span of life. There were doubtless many exceptions to the general rule. By reason of strength. Because of exceptional vigor. Labour. Heb. ‘amal, “wearisome toil” (see Job 5:7). Sorrow. Heb. ’awen, “trouble,” “weariness,” “sin,” “crime,” “deceit” (see Prov. 22:8; Isa. 41:29). Mere lengthening of life does not guarantee happiness (see Eccl. 12:1). We fly away. Even if life is prolonged to the age of 80, it seems but a short time, and we fly away as in a dream (see Job 20:8). The words come with special significance from a man standing on the very verge of death and looking back over the days of his pilgrimage.

Psalms 90:11

Who knoweth? “Not now, but in the coming years, It may be in the better land, We’ll read the meaning of our tears, And there, sometime, we’ll understand.”

Psalms 90:12

Apply our hearts unto wisdom. Or, “get a heart of wisdom.” Only God sees the end from the beginning, but we should pray for grace to act as if we saw that end. We need to meditate on life’s brevity, that we may be wise in employing the time that God allots us.

Psalms 90:13

How long? See Ps. 6:3, 4; 13:1. Repent thee. The psalmist is using the language of men. God does not repent as men repent, but God appears to repent, by withdrawing His judgments, by showing mercy where only punishment could be expected (see on Num. 23:19).

Psalms 90:14

Early. Literally, “in the morning.” The psalmist prays that after a night of sorrow and suffering, God will give a morning of joy and peace (see Ps. 143:8).

Psalms 90:16

Thy work. That is, God’s acts of mercy, His acts of interposition, His providences.

Psalms 90:17

Beauty. Heb. no‘am, “kindness” (see Ps. 27:4). When we see the loveliness of the character of God, we are “transfigured by His grace” (see Ed 80; MB 95), and “the beauty of the Lord our God” is “upon us.” The work of our hands. The ordinary tasks of daily life, as well as the professional and vocational duties of our livelihood. The repetition of the prayer makes more emphatic the psalmist’s desire that God will help them to carry out the work in such a way that they may be blessed of Him.