Psalm 90

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:9

As a tale that is told. Yes, it is true; we do spend our lives as is here said. I know the word rendered "tale" may bear other meanings—a thought, a breath, a meditation, a numbering ( Exodus 5:8 ). But this in our text sets forth the psalmist's thought as well as, if not better than, any other. His view of life is a very sad one, and is by no means true as concerns the blessed dead who die in the Lord. Their lives are not all "labour and sorrow;" still less are they "all passed away in"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:9

Brief life as judgment on sin. This is the point that is specially present to the mind of the author of the psalm; and it is the point specially impressed by the historical associations of the psalm. "Human transitoriness, the creature made subject to vanity, death in its much-disregarded connection with sin,—these and the awful contrast, God's eternity, his absolute disposition of men's lives, his mindfulness of their misdeeds, are here the theme of melancholy contemplation." Recall the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:10

The days of our years are three score years and ten. This seems a low estimate for the time of Moses, since he himself died at the ago of a hundred and twenty ( Deuteronomy 34:7 ), Aaron at the age of a hundred and twenty-three ( Numbers 33:39 ), and Miriam at an age which was even more advanced ( Numbers 20:1 ; comp. Exodus 2:4 ). But these may have been exceptional cases, and we have certainly no sufficient data for determining what was the average length of human life in the later... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:10

Length of life a doubtful good. Yet every one wishes to live long. Every one imagines for himself an old age; and an ideal human life includes it. And yet there are but few who have the experience of old age who would really wish others to share it. Not without good reason did the ancients say, "Those whom the gods love die young." Length of life is a doubtful good, because— I. THE AGED ARE PUT ASIDE FROM THE ACTIVITIES OF LIFE . Life goes past them: opinions... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:11

Who knoweth the power of thins anger? Who can duly estimate the intensity of God's anger against such as have displeased him? Even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath ; rather, or who can estimate thy fury as the fear of thee ( i.e. the proper fear) requires? The verse is exegetical of Psalms 90:9 , and is intended to impress on man the terribleness of God's anger. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:11

Man' s underestimate of God's anger. "Who knoweth," etc.? I. SOME DO NOT KNOW IT AT ALL . They do not believe in God at all, or in a very faint way. Hence they turn at once to what they term "natural causes," when the judgments of God are abroad in the earth. "The fool hath said in his heart," etc. II. MOST MEN HAVE SOME IDEA OF IT . 1 . From the Bible. The records of God's wrath are there writ large—the Fall; the Flood; the destruction of Egypt;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:12

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. "Teach us," that is, "so to reflect on the brevity of life, that we may get to ourselves a heart of wisdom," or a heart that is wise and understanding. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:12

The right numbering of our days. There are certain seasons which come round to men—birthdays, anniversaries, the close of the year, and the like—which seem to compel some sort of numbering of our days. The giddiest, the most thoughtless and worldly, are, for the moment, constrained to recollect the flight of time, the passing away of their life. Like as in dead of night, in the heart of a great city, when its business is hushed, and the traffic of its streets is still, the almost solitary... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:12

Numbering our days. That cannot mean merely counting them. Whether they are to be few or many we know not. The rich and self-centred farmer thought he could count his days, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years" But the truth was that for him there was not even a "tomorrow." "This night thy soul shall be required of thee." We can value, estimate, appraise our days. We can realize their responsibilities, their work, their possibilities, their issues. When should the numbering... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:12-17

From complaint the psalmist, in conclusion, turns to prayer—prayer for his people rather than for himself. His petitions are, read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:12-17

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands