Psalms 90:2

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 90:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
Psalms 90:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 90

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“To show forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, etc.] God has shown forth his lovingkindness in Christ, and Christ has shown it in a ministerial way; and saints should show it forth also with their lips, to warm the hearts of one another, and encourage distressed minds; this should be a part, and a considerable one, of their thanksgiving and praise; as it will appear to be, when the objects of it are considered, not angels, but men, and these the worst and vilest; the instances of it in election, redemption, calling, adoption, and eternal life; and the freeness, earliness, and immovableness of it; and this is to be done in the “morning”, not of the sabbath day only, but every other day,…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“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 mountains are mentioned as the most ancient things in creation, in Deuteronomy 33:15. Compare Genesis 49:26; Habakkuk 3:6. Or ever thou hadst formed - literally, “hadst brought forth.” Compare Job 39:1. The…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou - Thou hadst thy power, and all thy perfections, from all eternity. Psalms 90:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“90:2 The Lord is the eternal God. • The Lord gave birth to the earth by creating it.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Before: Job 38:4-6, Job 38:28, Job 38:29; Pro 8:25, Pro 8:26 or ever: Psa 33:9, Psa 146:6; Gen 1:1 even from: Psa 93:2, Psa 102:24-27, Psa 103:17; Isa 44:6, Isa 57:15; Mic 5:2; Hab 1:12; Ti1 6:15, Ti1 6:16; Heb 1:10-12, Heb 13:8; Rev 1:8 thou: Isa 45:22 Psalms 90:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification