Psalm 90:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 90:1-6

This psalm is entitled a prayer of Moses. Where, and in what volume, it was preserved from Moses's time till the collection of psalms was begun to be made, is uncertain; but, being divinely inspired, it was under a special protection: perhaps it was written in the book of Jasher, or the book of the wars of the Lord. Moses taught the people of Israel to pray, and put words into their mouths which they might make use of in turning to the Lord. Moses is here called the man of God, because he was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth ,.... Or "were born" F2 ילדו "nascerentur", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Michaelis; so Ainsworth; "geniti essent", Piscator, Gejerus. , and came forth out of the womb and bowels of the earth, and were made to rise and stand up at the command of God, as they did when he first created the earth; and are mentioned not only because of their firmness and stability, but their antiquity: hence we read of the ancient mountains and everlasting... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth - The mountains and hills appear to have been everlasting; but as they were brought forth out of the womb of eternity, there was a time when they were not: but Thou hast been ab aeternitate a parte ante, ad aeternitatem a parte post; fram the eternity that is past, before time began; to the eternity that is after, when time shall have an end. This is the highest description of the eternity of God to which human language can reach. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 90:2

Verse 2 2Before the mountains were brought forth. Moses designs to set forth some high and hidden mystery, and yet he seems to speak feebly, and, as it were, in a puerile manner. For who does not know that God existed before the world? This we grant is a truth which all men admit; but we will scarcely find one in a hundred who is thoroughly persuaded that God remains unchangeably the same. God is here contrasted with created beings, who, as all know, are subject to continual changes, so that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:1-2

The fundamental truths of all religion. "Lord, thou hast been our Dwelling place," etc. This psalm is a monument of spiritual power. It possesses in eminent. degree the perennial freshness which so wonderfully belongs to Scripture. Generations pass. Centuries mount up into thousands of years; but this ancient psalm lifts up its voice with undecaying strength and sweetness. It reminds us of a granite pillar which casts its unchanging image on a river which flows past, as it has flowed for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:1-17

The psalm is termed, "A Prayer of Moses, the man of God." It is, however, only in part a "prayer," Meditation occupies the opening portion ( Psalms 90:1-6 ); complaint follows ( Psalms 90:7-11 ); it is only with Psalms 90:12 that prayer begins. (For the application to Moses of the phrase, "man of God," see Deuteronomy 33:1 ; Joshua 14:6 ; Ezra 3:2 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:1-17

The Lord our Dwelling place. There is no need to doubt the assigned authorship of this psalm. It is in entire harmony with the facts and surroundings of Moses' and Israel's life in the wilderness. Observe— I. THE BLESSED FACT . The Lord our Dwelling place, which this psalm tells of at its beginning. Weary wanderers as the Israelites were, with no settled resting place, here today, gone tomorrow, how blessed for them that there was refuge, a dwelling place, a home, in God! And... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth (comp. Proverbs 8:25 ). The "mountains" are mentioned as perhaps the grandest, and certainly among the oldest, of all the works of God. Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world; literally, or thou gavest birth to the earth and the world (comp. Deuteronomy 32:18 ). Even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God (comp. Psalms 93:2 ; Proverbs 8:23 ; Micah 5:2 ; Habakkuk 1:12 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 90:2

The past, present, and future eternity of God. "There is something in the psalm that is wonderfully striking and solemn, acquainting us with the profoundest depths of the Divine nature" (Ewald). In contrast with the ever-passing, ever-changing generations, God is the Abiding, Never-changing One. Independent of all things that exist, God is before all, and is the absolute Creator and Controller of all. The mountains have ever been man's best image of the stable and permanent, yet he is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth - Before the earth brought forth or produced the mountains. In the description of the creation it would be natural to represent the mountains as the first objects that appeared, as emerging from the waters; and, therefore, as the “first” or “most ancient” of created objects. The phrase, therefore, is equivalent to saying, Before the earth was created. The literal meaning of the expression, “were brought forth,” is, in the Hebrew, “were born.” The... read more

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