Psalm-90

-hebraicstudies.net-

Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!

Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of our beloved TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

YYYYYYY

Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago and of today have, and are shamefully disobeying this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

YYYYYYY

“Tehillim-Psalm 90”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction to Psalm 90:

Psalm 90 is the only Psalm explicitly attributed to Moshe - Moses, giving it a unique voice among the Psalms. It reads like a meditation from a leader who has witnessed both the Majesty of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim and the fragility of human life in the wilderness. The Psalm blends ‘theology’, ‘lament’, and ‘hope’, forming a prayer that spans all time and personal sorrow. It is both sobering and uplifting, a Psalm that teaches perspective and invites humility. Let us now read this very special Psalm 90 of Moshe - Moses.

YYYYYYY

Let us now read Psalm 90: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “A Prayer of Moshe the man of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. יְהוָה - LORD, Thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.
2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever Thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art אֱלֹהִים.
3. Thou turnest man to contrition; and sayest: ‘Return, ye children of men’.
4. For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
5. Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep; in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.
6. In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.
7. For we are consumed in Thine anger, and by Thy wrath are we hurried away.
8. Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance.
9. For all our days are passed away in Thy wrath; we bring our years to an end as a tale that is told.
10. The days of our years are threescore years and ten, or even by reason of strength fourscore years;
yet is their pride but travail and vanity;
for it is speedily gone, and we fly away.
11. Who knoweth the power of Thine anger, and Thy wrath according to the fear that is due unto Thee?
12. So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.
13. Return, O יְהוָה - LORD; how long? And let it repent Thee concerning Thy servants.
14. O satisfy us in the morning with Thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
15. Make us glad according to the days wherein Thou hast afflicted us, according to the years wherein we have seen evil.
16. Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants, and Thy glory upon their children.
17. And let the graciousness of יְהוָה - the LORD our אֱלֹהִים - Elohim be upon us;
establish Thou also upon us the work of our hands; yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it.

YYYYYYY

Let us now take a look at the ‘verse by verse’ item, together with an explanation:

Below is a structured walk, through of each verses, with explanations that illuminate the meaning and its context!

Verse 1. “אֱלֹהִים as the Dwelling Place”.

Explanation: Moses begins by acknowledging אֱלֹהִים as Israel’s true home “throughout all generations.” This is not about geography but relationship: אֱלֹהִים is the constant refuge even when Israel has no land, no stability, and no certainty. It reflects the wilderness experience vividly.

Verse 2. “אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s Eternality”.

Explanation: Before mountains, before creation, אֱלֹהִים already was.
The verse emphasizes אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s timelessness, not merely ancient, but beyond time itself. Moses contrasts this with the fleeting nature of human life, setting up the Psalm’s central tension.

Verse 3. “Human Mortality”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים “returns man to dust”, echoing Genesis 3:19. Human life is fragile, temporary, and subject to Divine decree. Moshe, who saw an entire generation die in the wilderness, speaks with painful clarity.

Verse 4. “Divine Perspective on Time”.

Explanation: A thousand years are like a day to אֱלֹהִים. This expresses the vast difference between Divine and human perception. What seems long to us is nothing to the Eternal One. It reinforces humility and trust.

Verse 5. “Human Life as a Flood and a Dream”.

Explanation: Human existence is swept away like a sudden flood or passes like a dream.
Both images emphasize how quickly life disappears, unexpected, ephemeral, and beyond our control.

Verse 6. “Grass That Withers”.

Explanation: Life is compared to grass that flourishes in the morning but fades by evening.
This is a classic biblical metaphor for mortality. Moshe highlights the cycle of vitality and decline that marks every human life.

Verse 7. “Consumed by Divine Anger”.

Explanation: The Psalm shifts to the theme of Divine judgment. Israel’s suffering is interpreted as the result of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s anger, not arbitrary, but connected to human sin. Moshe speaks as one who witnessed rebellion and its consequences.

Verse 8. “Hidden Sins Revealed”.

Explanation: Even secret sins are exposed before אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence. This verse deepens the sense of accountability. Nothing is concealed from the divine gaze; אֱלֹהִים sees the heart as clearly as actions.

Verse 9. “Life Spent Under Judgment”.

Explanation: Human days “pass away” under אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s displeasure. The sense is that life is overshadowed by the consequences of sin, and the years feel like a sigh, brief and burdened.

Verse 10. “The Shortness of Life”.

Explanation: A typical lifespan is seventy or eighty years, yet filled with toil and trouble.
Moses acknowledges both the limits and the struggles of human life. Even the strongest years are marked by difficulty, and they pass swiftly.

Verse 11. “Who Understands Divine Power?”

Explanation: The Psalm asks who truly grasps the weight of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s anger or the depth of His awe. This rhetorical question highlights human inability to comprehend divine justice fully.

Verse 12. “Teach Us to Number Our Days”.

Explanation: This is the turning point of the Psalm. Moshe asks אֱלֹהִים to teach humanity to “number our days”, meaning to live with awareness of life’s brevity. The goal is wisdom, not despair. Recognizing mortality leads to humility and purpose.

Verse 13. “A Plea for Compassion”

Explanation: Moshe asks אֱלֹהִים to “return” and show mercy. This echoes the language of covenant: God’s presence brings life, blessing, and restoration. The plea is both personal and communal.

Verse 14. Satisfy Us with Your Lovingkindness

Explanation: Moses longs for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s steadfast love (ḥesed) to fill each day.
If אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s love is present, even a short life becomes joyful. This is a profound shift from lament to hope.

Verse 15. “Balance Sorrow with Joy” - “Make us glad according to the days You afflicted us”

Explanation: Moshe asks for Divine restoration proportionate to past suffering. It’s a request for redemption that heals the wounds of history.

Verse 16. “Let Your Work Be Revealed”.

Explanation: Moshe prays that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s deeds be visible to the people and their children. This reflects the desire for continuity, that future generations experience אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s power and favour.

Verse 17. “Establish the Work of Our Hands”.

Explanation: The Psalm ends with a beautiful, repeated plea: May אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s favour rest upon us, and may He establish the work of our hands. This is a prayer for meaning, stability, and Divine partnership. Human effort alone is fragile; with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s blessing, it becomes enduring.

YYYYYYY

My Closing Message:

Psalm 90 is a masterpiece of spiritual realism. It confronts the brevity of life without cynicism and acknowledges divine judgment without despair. Moses teaches us that wisdom begins with ‘humility’, recognizing our limits and seeking אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s ‘compassion’. This Psalm ultimately moves from ‘lament’ to ‘hope’, from ‘human frailty’ to ‘Divine faithfulness’. It invites us to live purposefully, to seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence daily, and to trust that He can establish the work of our hands.

YYYYYYY

Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

YYYYYYY

“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Enter ...

http://www.hebraicstudies.net/Site-Index.htm

Enter ...

https://www.hebraicstudies.net

-hebraicstudies.net-

Email the Rabbi

RBA@hebraicstudies.net

If the email link does not open - You can also copy the link and use it.

Although the author does not believe in having to copyright “Hebraic Studies” commenced in the mid 1980’,

but there have been occasions where there parts of his studies have been taken and quoted out of context

under my name, and thus he has been misquoted by those who have their own reasons for doing so.

Thus, it is only for this reason these works are fully covered under strict ...