Psalms 90

Book IV

Psalm 90

God’s Eternity and Human Frailty

1Lord, you have been our dwelling place[#Deut 33.27; Ezek 11.16; #90.1 Or our refuge]

in all generations.

2Before the mountains were brought forth[#Ps 93.2; 102.25; Prov 8.25]

or ever you had formed the earth and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

3You turn us back to dust[#Gen 3.19; #90.3 Heb humankind]

and say, “Turn back, you mortals.”

4For a thousand years in your sight[#Ps 39.5; 2 Pet 3.8]

are like yesterday when it is past

or like a watch in the night.

5You sweep them away; they are like a dream,[#Job 27.20; Ps 73.20; 103.15; Isa 40.6]

like grass that is renewed in the morning;

6in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;[#Job 14.2; Ps 92.7]

in the evening it fades and withers.

7For we are consumed by your anger;

by your wrath we are overwhelmed.

8You have set our iniquities before you,[#Ps 19.12; 50.21; Jer 16.17]

our secret sins in the light of your countenance.

9For all our days pass away under your wrath;[#Ps 78.33]

our years come to an end like a sigh.

10The days of our life are seventy years[#Eccl 12.2–7]

or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;

even then their span is only toil and trouble;

they are soon gone, and we fly away.

11Who considers the power of your anger?[#Ps 76.7]

Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.

12So teach us to count our days[#Ps 39.4]

that we may gain a wise heart.

13Turn, O Lord ! How long?[#Deut 32.26; Ps 135.14]

Have compassion on your servants!

14Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,[#Ps 65.4; 85.6]

so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us

and as many years as we have seen evil.

16Let your work be manifest to your servants[#1 Kings 8.11; Hab 3.2]

and your glorious power to their children.

17Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us[#Ps 27.4; Isa 26.12]

and prosper for us the work of our hands—

O prosper the work of our hands!

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition, copyright © 2021 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Published by: National Council of the Churches of Christ