Psalms 90

The eternity of God, Psalm 90:1 , Psalm 90:2 ; the frailty of the state of man, Psalm 90:3-9 ; the general limits of human life, Psalm 90:10 ; the danger of displeasing God, Psalm 90:11 ; the necessity of considering the shortness of life, and of regaining the favor of the Almighty, Psalm 90:12 ; earnest prayer for the restoration of Israel, Psalm 90:13-17 .

The title of this Psalm is, A Prayer of Moses the man of God. The Chaldee has, "A prayer which Moses the prophet of the Lord prayed when the people of Israel had sinned in the wilderness." All the Versions ascribe it to Moses; but that it could not be of Moses the lawgiver is evident from this consideration, that the age of man was not then seventy or eighty years, which is here stated to be its almost universal limit, for Joshua lived one hundred and ten years, and Moses himself one hundred and twenty; Miriam his sister, one hundred and thirty; Aaron his brother, one hundred and twenty-three; Caleb, four-score and five years; and their contemporaries lived in the same proportion. See the note on Psalm 90:4 ; (note). Therefore the Psalm cannot at all refer to such ancient times. If the title be at all authentic, it must refer to some other person of that name; and indeed אלהים איש ish Elohim , a man of God, a divinely inspired man, agrees to the times of the prophets, who were thus denominated. The Psalm was doubtless composed during or after the captivity; and most probably on their return, when they were engaged in rebuilding the temple; and this, as Dr. Kennicott conjectures, may be the work of their hands, which they pray God to bless and prosper.